Palestinian Rivals Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Dahlan Faction Unite Against Abbas

In a significant political shift, Palestinian rivals Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and a faction led by exiled Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan have agreed to form a joint electoral list for the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections. This unprecedented alliance aims to challenge the long-standing dominance of Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party and reflects deep frustration with his leadership of the Palestinian Authority.

The "united national list" is intended to comprise independent figures and professionals for the general elections scheduled for November 28, the first such vote in nearly two decades. The move seeks to undermine Fatah's hegemony amid growing public dissatisfaction with the Authority's perceived failures, particularly concerning Gaza.

Mohammed al-Hindi, deputy secretary-general of Islamic Jihad, confirmed the alliance in an interview with the Associated Press, stating that while his organization historically boycotts elections, it will support this unified list. Dimitri Diliani, spokesperson for Dahlan's "Democratic Reform Current," also confirmed the formation of a list that transcends past divisions, criticizing Abbas's leadership for failing the Palestinian people.

The alliance is particularly surprising given Dahlan's history. Once head of Fatah's security in Gaza, he was expelled by Hamas in 2007 and later exiled from the West Bank by Abbas in 2010 following a bitter personal dispute. Dahlan has since become a close advisor to the UAE leadership and cultivated ties with Israeli and American figures.

Al-Hindi also addressed the October 7th attacks, admitting that Hamas did not brief Islamic Jihad on the plans, though his group joined the ensuing conflict upon learning of it. He acknowledged internal Palestinian criticism regarding the attack's impact but framed it as a move to prevent the Palestinian issue from being sidelined by regional normalization agreements. He also noted Iran's reduced direct involvement due to its own struggles but asserted his organization would continue its operations regardless.

The Palestinian political scene has been stagnant for twenty years, with the last general elections in 2006 resulting in a Hamas victory, followed by international boycotts and internal conflict. Abbas, whose term officially ended in 2009, has repeatedly postponed elections, most recently in 2021, amid predictions of a significant defeat for his list. The current election announcement is met with skepticism by a Palestinian public viewing the Authority as corrupt and disconnected.