Fatah Council Leans Toward Postponing Palestinian Elections Amidst Israeli, US Opposition
The Palestinian Legislative Council elections, initially slated for an unspecified date, are likely to be postponed, according to prevailing sentiment within Fatah's Revolutionary Council. While a final statement affirmed holding the elections on schedule, it stipulated this was contingent on "the occupation state" not creating obstacles. General assessments indicate the decision to postpone has been made, with discussions now focusing on the timing and method of announcement. Options range from announcing before candidate registration closes to delaying the announcement until March, a year, two years, or indefinitely.
The announcement could come via the Central Elections Commission citing the occupation's failure to provide necessary facilities, such as secure transport for sensitive materials and guarantees for the committee's and observers' freedom of movement, alongside demands for an end to assassinations, the lifting of the siege, and cessation of attacks by Israeli forces and settlers. Alternatively, the postponement could emerge from a national dialogue in Cairo, the outcome of which may be determined after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's visit to the Egyptian capital on the 16th of the month.
Cairo is reportedly hesitant to host such a dialogue, fearing it might end without agreement or with an unenforceable accord. The reasons cited for the potential postponement include opposition from the US and Israeli governments. Washington reportedly aligns with Israel, not wanting an elected Palestinian Legislative Council to challenge the legitimacy of the Trump administration's alternative. Israel's government, described as the most extreme in its history, allegedly fears that elections would strengthen a Palestinian Authority it seeks to undermine, particularly as a unified council representing both the West Bank and Gaza would advance the prospect of a Palestinian state, an outcome this government views as antithetical to its achievements.
The article questions why this US-Israeli decision is not challenged, suggesting the Palestinian leadership seeks to avoid confrontation and adopt a strategy of waiting. Internal Fatah dynamics also play a role, with concerns about potential electoral losses, especially if Marwan Barghouti, a prominent figure, runs independently. The formation of a broad electoral list supported by Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and other factions could also present a significant challenge.
The initiative by imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti, which requires time for internal Fatah unification and reconciliation, further supports the idea of postponement. The article suggests that challenging the US-Israeli refusal and setting a new date for legislative, presidential, and National Council elections, with international guarantees for free and fair results, might be the least detrimental option. This postponement should be part of a comprehensive package including the cessation of the "farce" of appointing National Council members and the agreement on a national project to confront challenges, encompassing a social contract, a national program, and unified leadership. The piece advocates for a broad, representative national dialogue involving not just factions but also youth, women, the diaspora, civil society, the private sector, and independent figures.
