The result of the Israeli general election is likely to have repercussions for the Palestinians. President Mahmoud Abbas has said any Israeli plan to draw its own borders would not bring peace. He believes the final division must be decided through negotiation. Many people feel that whatever the outcome, their lives are unlikely to improve.

Parliamentary speaker Abdel Aziz Duaik said: “We hope that the Israelis will go back to their reason and understand that we are people under occupation and we are freedom-seekers so that we would like the whole world, really, to emancipate us from the slavery of occupation.” Former Palestinian cabinet minister Hanan Ashrawi said: “Within the three major parties there is a consensus, a Zionist consensus, and of course a continuation of the land grab, the occupation, the oppression and even when we look at the largest party – Kadima – we know it is the party that has institutionalised unilateralism.” Originally billed as a barrier to would-be suicide bombers, the West Bank wall – some of which is being built in occupied Palestinian territory – is now being talked about as the new border – exactly as many Palestinians feared.

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