RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' aides talked openly Wednesday about the possibility of postponing Jan. 25 parliament elections that pit the ruling Fatah Party against the increasingly popular Islamic militant group Hamas.

The aides cited Israel's threat to ban voting in Jerusalem for the potential delay, denying that was merely an excuse to put off what could be a trouncing at the polls. Postponing or even canceling the elections could serve the interests of Mr. Abbas and the Israelis, but both sides dismissed speculation that they were in this together.