Ramallah, West Bank: The results of Israel's election could have deep repercussions for the Palestinians. One candidate for prime minister wants to start talks for a final peace deal, another advocates unilaterally setting Israel's borders and the third wants all peace efforts frozen until violence ends.
Yet most Palestinians are so caught up in their own political manoeuvrings following Hamas's victory in parliamentary elections and in their own daily struggle to survive that they are paying little attention to the vote next door.
"I am only interested in what is going on here ... I want to know if I am going to receive my salary next month and I am curious to know if the Palestinian National Authority will continue or collapse," said Fat'hi Zaiden, 40, an officer in the Palestinian security forces in Jenin.
Zaiden, like 140,000 other PNA employees, fears he won't be paid now that Israel has stopped transferring $55 million (Dh202 million) in monthly tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PNA. Israel says it fears the money will reach Hamas, who are about to form the new Palestinian Cabinet.
The international community has also threatened to stop aid if Hamas does not renounce violence and recognise Israel.
The funding problem underscores the profound links between the Palestinians and Israel and the impact that one people's election has on the other. In addition to the tax transfers, the Palestinian economy is deeply dependent on its trade with Israel and 15,000 Palestinian labourers rely on the Israeli Government for permission to cross to their jobs in Israel.
The Palestinian election is also playing a role in Israel's campaign, with hardline Likud candidate Benjamin Netanyahu using the slogan "strong against Hamas" in campaign posters plastered on billboards and on the sides of buses.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's centrist Kadima Party, the favourite to win, is running on a platform of drawing Israel's final borders within four years, if necessary by unilaterally pulling out of parts of the West Bank, while strengthening Israel's main colony blocs.
Olmert is viewed by many Israelis as the successor of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who founded Kadima after pulling Israel out of the Gaza Strip.
Labor's candidate, Amir Peretz, calls for new peace talks, while Netanyahu takes a harder line with the Palestinians.
Palestinians say no matter who Israelis vote in, life in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will remain the same: Joblessness will be high, poverty severe and peace will remain a distant dream.
