Abbas Delays Palestinian Elections; Hamas Slams 'Coup' 

JERUSALEM - President Mahmoud Abbas announced early Friday that the first Palestinian elections in 15 years would be delayed, citing a dispute with Israel in calling off a legislative vote in which his fractured Fatah party was expected to suffer another embarrassing defeat to the Hamas militant group.

Hamas slammed the move as a "coup." But the indefinite postponement will be quietly welcomed by Israel and Western countries, which view the Islamic militant group as a terrorist organization and are concerned about its growing strength. For ordinary Palestinians, the delay leaves a long-entrenched political leadership in place that has failed to advance their hopes for statehood, heal the bitter rift between Fatah and Hamas, or lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, and that is seen as increasingly corrupt and authoritarian. Presidential elections planned for July also appeared to be on hold. Abbas insisted elections could not be held without the full participation of Palestinians in east Jerusalem. Israel has yet to say whether it will allow voting by mail there as in past elections and has enforced a ban on Palestinian Authority activities, including campaign events.