Palestinian Authority Postpones Legislative Elections to 2027

Palestinian officials had anticipated improvements from a US peace plan and UN Security Council resolutions, which they expected would lead to the deployment of international forces and local police in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the withdrawal of the IDF. They also expected US measures to curb Israeli expansion in Judea and Samaria and East Jerusalem, stop violence by Jewish residents, and secure the release of withheld Palestinian funds. According to the letter, these expectations were not met, and conditions instead worsened.

Internal political dynamics and logistical challenges also contributed to the delay. Fatah reportedly feared losing to rival lists, including an unexpected electoral coalition formed by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan against Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Additionally, Al-Shams reported that Israel prevented Palestinian Central Elections Commission officials from accessing Gaza and East Jerusalem to oversee preparations. Kan News reported that the Palestinian Authority had requested Israeli permission for election operations in those areas, a move described as an attempt to shift blame to Israel if refused.

In response to the postponement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Mahmoud Abbas of deceiving the international community and breaking promises regarding elections and reforms, specifically pointing to the failure to end payments to terrorists and incitement in education. France, which has advocated for elections in exchange for international recognition of a Palestinian state, reiterated that holding the vote is necessary for the legitimacy of the Palestinian leadership and the preservation of the two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority has not held legislative elections since 2006 or presidential elections since 2005.