Prime Minister Sharon says Israel will try to block landmark Palestinian elections in January because of the participation of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas. He told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israel will make it difficult for Hamas to campaign freely. “Israel won't help in the elections, and because of that, there won't be an election,” Sharon was quoted as saying at the closed door meeting. It's a hardening of Israel's position. Responding to American concerns, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told US officials last week that Israel would NOT interfere in elections.