Arab World Mocks Abu Mazen After Latest Election Postponement
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has again postponed elections, which have not been held in 21 years, leading to widespread mockery in the Arab world. Abbas cited Israeli actions in the West Bank and withheld funds as reasons for the delay. The postponement's timing, near the October 7th anniversary, is seen as strategic, with reports suggesting the PA may have anticipated an Israeli denial of access for election officials to East Jerusalem and Gaza as a pretext.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has again postponed Palestinian elections, which have not occurred in 21 years.
- The Arab world is mocking Abu Mazen for the repeated postponement of elections.
- A cartoon in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed depicted Abu Mazen sleeping on a box labeled "Palestinian Elections" and "Postponed."
- Abu Mazen blamed Israeli actions in the West Bank and withheld funds for the inability to hold elections.
- The postponement's timing near the October 7th anniversary is suggested to be strategic.
- The Palestinian Authority reportedly hoped Israel would deny access for election officials to East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, has once again postponed elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council and the presidency, extending a period of 21 years without elections. This latest delay has drawn mockery from across the Arab world, with a cartoon in the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed depicting Abbas sleeping on a locked, cobweb-covered box labeled "Palestinian Elections," with stickers reading "Postponed." Two figures in the cartoon question if it's "a nap for an unknown period."
To justify the postponement, Abbas blamed Israel, citing alleged "disturbances" by Jewish residents in the West Bank and Israel's withholding of billions in Palestinian funds. He claimed these factors made holding elections impossible.
The timing of the postponement, coinciding with the week of the October 7th massacre anniversary, is also noted. Reports suggest the Palestinian Authority requested Israel's permission to allow election committee members into East Jerusalem and Gaza. It is claimed the PA hoped Israel would deny this request due to the proximity to the anniversary, thereby providing a reason to cancel the elections. It remains unclear whether Israel approved the entry of committee members.
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