Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki criticizes announcement, saying that party has not yet decided on a candidate, knocks Abbas for not keeping officials in the loop

Israel has long cracked down on Palestinian Authority activity in East Jerusalem; Palestinian elections official says contingency plans exist if Israel refuses request

Hamas agrees to support move although several previous attempts to unite rival factions and hold a vote have failed over the years; observers are skeptical this time too

Similar announcements have come to naught in the past; top Fatah official says no vote without East Jerusalemites' participation, a request Israel has never granted

Palestinian Authority president urges French counterpart to pressure Israel to allow East Jerusalem Palestinians to take part in planned PA elections

Palestinian Legislative Council has not met for over a decade, but as mail piles up and workers try to keep busy, some see promised vote bringing the building back to life

Abbas says he won't allow vote for parliament, presidency without city; according to Channel 12, Israeli recalcitrance is coordinated with the PA chief, who does not want poll

PA says it has asked Israel for permission for residents to take part in a planned vote, a first in over a decade, but so far no response from Israel

Gulf state was Ramallah’s second biggest Arab backer between January and September, also cultivates close ties with Hamas

Unlike years past, officials are optimistic that vote could actually be held next February 2020, with possible major gains for Hamas as Fatah support dwindles