Fatah Calls for Sanctions on Israel, Warns of West Bank Unrest

The Palestinian Fatah movement's Central Committee called on the international community to impose sanctions on Israel on Friday, warning of an "explosion of conditions" in the occupied West Bank due to escalating attacks by the Israeli army and settlers. The statement, issued after a committee meeting in Ramallah, addressed political, security, and economic developments in the Palestinian territories. Fatah expressed deep concern over Israeli aggressions against Palestinians, their land, and holy sites, urging swift sanctions against Israel for expanding its attacks. The movement cited incidents targeting farmers during olive harvest season, theft of crops, and attacks on property, mosques, and churches. Fatah accused settlers of "terrorism sponsored, funded, and encouraged by official Israeli institutions and the occupation army," warning that "pressure breeds explosion" and holding the Israeli government responsible for the consequences of escalation. Earlier on Friday, the Palestinian Wall and Settlements Resistance Commission reported documenting 19 settler attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank between morning and afternoon.

Internally, Fatah's Central Committee reported a "positive spirit" during recent dialogue sessions in Cairo with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and other factions. The committee stated that the factions showed a "sense of responsibility" and readiness to work towards unity and counter division. Fatah affirmed its commitment to continuing dialogue with Palestinian forces to achieve unity, based on political consensus and elections as a "strategic option" for national partnership, under Egyptian sponsorship. On Thursday, Fatah spokesperson Abdul Fattah Dawla told Anadolu Agency that the PLO Executive Committee would meet Saturday to discuss the Cairo meetings, national dialogue, and elections. Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub also noted that a Fatah delegation held direct meetings with factions in Cairo over two days, with national dialogue set to resume Wednesday. He indicated consensus that the election date would be a result of the national dialogue, hinting at a possible postponement to allow for further consensus.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on July 9 setting November 28 as the date for legislative elections in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, which would be the first since 2006 if held. The election committee began accepting list registrations on September 26, receiving applications from 8 lists in the first four days, with registration continuing until October 13.