Palestine confirms general elections for Nov. 28, but obstacles loom

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has set November 28 as the date for parliamentary elections, the first to be held in over 20 years. This move is interpreted as a bid by the Palestinians to signal their intent for state reform to the international community by resuming long-stalled elections.

Abbas issued a decree confirming the election date, urging Palestinian residents in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip to participate. The last general election took place in January 2006. That election exposed the fragility of the Palestinian government's structure, leading to violence and subsequent electoral dormancy, fueling ongoing debates about democratic legitimacy.

In 2006, the militant group Hamas secured a decisive victory, winning 74 out of 132 seats and significantly defeating Abbas's Fatah party. A volatile power-sharing arrangement followed for about 18 months. In 2007, after a brief civil conflict in Gaza, Hamas seized control of the territory. Consequently, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority's effective governance was confined to parts of the West Bank.

The conflict between Hamas and Fatah has largely paralyzed the parliament. Even after the Palestinian Constitutional Court officially dissolved the legislative council in 2018, Hamas maintained political and administrative control in Gaza. The ongoing war in Gaza since October 2023 has further complicated the situation, with Hamas remaining a de facto power, while much of Gaza is under Israeli military control and a complex interim administrative system is in place.

Western nations, including the United States, have repeatedly stated that for the Palestinian Authority to play a meaningful role in post-war Gaza governance plans, substantial reforms are necessary to address corruption, undemocratic practices, and governance capacity. These elections are viewed as part of that reform effort. However, significant doubts linger about whether the elections can actually be conducted. Abbas previously postponed planned elections in 2021, citing Israel's refusal to allow East Jerusalem residents to vote. Internal factors, such as declining Fatah support and fears of party fragmentation, were also seen as contributing reasons.

For the elections to proceed, Israel must permit Palestinian voters in East Jerusalem to cast their ballots. The New York Times suggested that Israel could obstruct the process by restricting voter movement in the West Bank, arresting candidates, or blocking the transport of materials from the West Bank to Gaza. Abbas himself has remained in power since his term expired in 2009, as subsequent presidential elections have been repeatedly postponed or canceled. This has led to continuous controversy both within Palestine and internationally regarding the democratic legitimacy of his administration.