Palestinian Authority President Abbas Calls Parliamentary Elections Amid International Pressure
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that parliamentary elections will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026. The presidential decree, based on the general elections law, allows residents of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip to vote. Presidential elections are planned for the first quarter of 2027, though no exact date has been set. However, Egypt and Syria have refused to permit millions of Palestinians residing in their territories to participate in the vote.
The last Palestinian parliamentary elections took place in 2006, and the most recent presidential election was in 2005. The Palestinian presidency stated that these elections aim to strengthen democracy and complete the electoral process in the State of Palestine. Behind this announcement lies significant international and Arab pressure, particularly from donor countries. A senior Palestinian official revealed that originally, elections were intended for both the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Palestinian National Council, which represents Palestinians worldwide. However, international actors and donor states vetoed the National Council elections, as countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Syria refused to allow Palestinians on their soil to vote.
The official also disclosed a major change in the parliamentary structure: the number of seats will increase from 132 to 200. This move, driven by American and Arab pressure and against Israel’s wishes, aims to create a new elected leadership for the Palestinian people that bypasses factions like Hamas and traditional leaders. The international community intends to engage solely with this new parliament.
One of the main obstacles to the elections is the international condition requiring all participating lists to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative and accept international decisions, effectively recognizing Israel, a condition Hamas rejects. Additionally, Israel is expected to obstruct Hamas candidates, arresting them in the West Bank and threatening them in Gaza. Hamas is reportedly considering supporting independent candidates behind the scenes, including figures like Dr. Mustafa Barghouti and Marwan Barghouti.
Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Fatah leader serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison and considered the most popular candidate in polls, is preparing for the elections. Local Fatah leadership has been mobilizing support and urging readiness. Barghouti plans to use the parliamentary elections as a springboard for the 2027 presidential race, intending to run regardless of Abbas’s participation. Despite a legal hurdle requiring presidential candidates to be nominated by a parliamentary faction, Barghouti’s supporters say he will establish his own parliamentary bloc if necessary, ensuring a legal path to the presidency.
