The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has condemned Israel’s arrest today of Hassan Abukwick, its representative in the local elections committee in the West Bank.

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abuzuhri said “Israel’s’ arrest of Abukwick is an attempt to influence the results of the local elections and intervene in it.”

Abuzuhri called on the PA’s security forces in the West Bank to stop summoning and detaining Hamas members in the West Bank. He affirmed that this targeting by both Israel and the PA “would strengthen the movement even more.”

Israel arrests Hamas's rep on Central Elections Commission; movement decries interference in local election campaign https://t.co/ajPmHHWeOT

— Ben White (@benabyad) August 17, 2016

Hamas has called on international organizations to intervene to release Abukwick and to stop the PA’s arrest of its members in the West Bank.

Yesterday, Hamas security forces prevented Kamal Alashrafi, a Fatah leader and adviser to Mahmoud Abbas, from travelling to the West Bank, a move which Fatah has condemned.

(PC, Aqsa TV)