Palestinian Authority Postpones Elections Again, Drawing Mild Western Criticism

Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas has postponed general elections, originally scheduled for September 2025, to September 2027. This decision follows a pattern of delayed elections, as Abbas, who has been in office since 2005 and governing without a democratic mandate since 2009, has repeatedly broken promises regarding electoral timelines. Western nations, including France, Great Britain, and Canada, who had previously recognized Palestine contingent on reforms and elections, expressed "deep regret" but also acknowledged "significant challenges and obstacles" faced by the Palestinians. They also urged Israel not to hinder the electoral process, a response the article characterizes as deflecting blame from Abbas.

The article questions the continued support from the EU and other states for the Palestinian Authority, particularly in light of its "Pay-for-Slay" system, which provides payments to convicted terrorists and their families. It highlights a disconnect between Abbas's Arabic rhetoric and his English statements aimed at Western audiences, and questions whether the PA is a reliable peace partner. The author suggests that some European nations might even welcome the delay, as it prevents more radical forces from gaining power in Ramallah.

In contrast to the nearly two decades since the last Palestinian elections, Israel is holding parliamentary elections on October 27th, with over 1.2 million Arab citizens eligible to vote. The article notes that a generation of Palestinians has grown up without experiencing democracy or self-determination, which is seen as a poor omen for the desired democratic Palestinian state. The author concludes that European foreign policymakers' inability to push their Palestinian partners toward democratic structures is a "disgrace."