¡¡ GAZA, Dec. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza on Thursday accused Israel oftrying to find any excuse to postpone the Palestinian legislative elections due on Jan. 25.

   "Israel wants to prevent the Palestinians in East Jerusalemfrom voting, because Israel knows very well that the Palestinians would never hold their elections without Jerusalem residents'participation," Mahmoud al-Zahar told reporters.

   Zahar's remarks came one day after an Israeli official said that Palestinian residents in East Jerusalem will not be allowed to vote in the January elections.

   He insisted that the elections must be held on time or there would be more chaos as a result of a political vacuum.   Zahar said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wants to hold the elections as scheduled unless all Palestinian Islamic andnational factions accept the postponement.

   Hamas, a major radical faction on the occupied territories, has showed a strong popularity among grass roots in the past localelections. It is reportedly poised to challenge Abbas' Fatah movement in the coming polls.  Enditem