The specter of Israeli-Palestinian violence loomed large Sunday just two days before the Israeli leadership election, with further bloodshed in the occupied territories and calls for a "day of rage" on polling day, according to AFP.
A coalition of Palestinian groups known as the National and Islamic Forces called for mass demonstrations Tuesday, the day Israel goes to the polls to choose a new prime minister in a race pitting incumbent Ehud Barak against his right-wing rival, Ariel Sharon, who is streaking ahead in the polls, said the agency.
In the Palestinian lands, the Israeli army shot dead an armed Palestinian while trying to infiltrate into Israel from the Gaza Strip, said Haaretz newspaper.
The Israeli army on Friday re-imposed a blockade on most of the West Bank, planning to beef up its presence in the territory in an attempt to counter a recent spate of drive-by shootings, said Haaretz.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem Mufti Ekrema Sabri prohibited Muslims from taking part in the upcoming premiership elections, reported the Jerusalem Post newspaper.
"A Muslim voting for a Jew would be considered as placing faith in the Jew," Sabri was quoted as saying. Sabri was referring to Arab Israelis who comprise 18 percent of the total Israeli population.
Arab Israelis announced that they would boycott the elections in protest against the killing of thirteen Arab Israelis in October during the Intifada -- Albawaba.com
