Palestinian Election Alliance Forms in Cairo Including Fatah Rivals, Hamas, Islamic Jihad

A political alliance is forming in Cairo to contest the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections, according to sources. The coalition reportedly includes Nasser al-Qudwa's National Democratic Assembly, Mohammed Dahlan's Reform Current within Fatah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. An official announcement is expected within the next two days.

Al-Qudwa confirmed that bilateral and multilateral meetings in Cairo over the past two days have led to understandings for a "national, non-factional list" comprising Palestinian national figures from various backgrounds. He stated that consultations will continue to draft a political statement and finalize the list's participants. Attendees at the meetings included al-Qudwa, Dahlan, Hamas politburo members Hussam Badran and Zaher Jabarin, and Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah.

These factions, along with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, previously met in Cairo on August 20 to discuss forming a broad national list. The Popular Front requested more time to consider the proposal internally and later presented a political initiative for an interim national council, which was reportedly not met with a response from President Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah.

The Popular Front's potential inclusion in the current alliance remains undecided. Separately, communications have ceased between the Popular Front and the "Alliance for Change and National Liberation" list, which includes independent figures and popular movements. The finalization of the alliance's list and political statement also awaits the position of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who is reportedly imprisoned. Sources indicate Barghouti intends to run for president, not head the legislative list, though the alliance will proceed regardless of his decision.

These developments coincide with the opening of candidate registration for the legislative elections scheduled for November 28. The Central Elections Committee announced a 12-day registration period from September 26 to October 7, exclusively for electoral lists, with no individual candidacies accepted. Lists can be formed by parties, coalitions, or voter groups, with seats allocated based on the order of candidates.