The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas) slammed Israel on Sunday for deciding not to allow Hamas candidates to campaign and vote in the legislative elections due on Jan. 25.

The Israeli cabinet chaired by acting Premier Ehud Olmert decided earlier in the day to allow elections in East Jerusalem but banned Hamas movement from campaigning and participation.

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that the Israeli decision is totally rejected by Hamas, which comes in the frame of putting obstacles before the movement and weaken its position in the elections.

Israel Radio earlier reported that the Israeli police forces had detained three Palestinians on Saturday evening, and six others on Sunday morning for gluing posters of Hamas candidates in the holy city.

Abu Zuhri said that his movement has alternatives to confront this challenge, campaign and vote, adding that Hamas would focus more on local dailies, local radio stations that can be caught in Jerusalem area as well as televisions.

The Israeli decision approved that Hamas movement was right when we said that we have to wait and not to take the question of Jerusalem as an excuse to postpone the legislative elections, said Abu Zuhri.

He added that there is still time to press on the occupation forces to be committed to the Palestinian position, when it was obliged to accept East Jerusalemites to participate in the elections.

Source: Xinhua