Israel will not hamper Palestinian vote - minister

[bemildred]

I see this is a number of places now.

JERUSALEM, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Israel does not plan to hamper upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections even if Hamas Islamic militants take part, Israeli officials said on Sunday in an apparent shift from earlier threats.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said last month that Israel could hinder voting in the occupied West Bank if the elections were contested by Hamas, which is sworn to destroying Israel and has spearheaded a Palestinian uprising.

But when asked on Sunday whether Israel planned to hamper the election if Hamas took part, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said: "It is not in Israel's interest. It is in the Palestinian interest that Hamas takes part in elections."

An official in the prime minister's office said Israel would not impede the election, though it would also not assist the Palestinians to hold the ballot if Hamas ran.

Reuters