Palestinian Elections Pushed to 2027 Over Israeli Restrictions

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday pushed November’s legislative election to September 11, 2027, attributing the delay to Israeli restrictions and security conditions across the Palestinian territories.

A decree issued also scheduled a presidential election for the same day. Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza were called to participate.

The legislative vote had been due on November 28, while the presidential election was expected in early 2027.

The revised timetable prolongs a gap stretching back to the last parliamentary election in 2006 and the presidential poll in 2005.

Restrictions on Election Preparations

The decree cited “obstacles posed by Israeli measures” and said conditions needed to improve before Palestinians could hold “free, fair and inclusive elections,” according to the official WAFA news agency.

In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the presidency listed Israeli military operations, settlement growth, settler violence and restrictions on movement among the barriers to organizing the vote.

Israel’s withholding of Palestinian tax revenues was another impediment.

The Palestinian Authority said this week that Israel had denied election officials access to East Jerusalem and Gaza. The decree also identified restrictions affecting international observers.

For Gaza, Abbas pointed to the security and humanitarian crisis, the incomplete withdrawal of Israeli troops and stalled reconstruction.

Arrangements for international stabilization forces and police had not yet been implemented.

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar had accused Abbas of “fooling the international community” over plans to defer the legislative election.

Reform Commitments Under Pressure

The postponement comes little more than two weeks after Abbas reaffirmed the November timetable in his September 24 address to the UN General Assembly.

Elections form part of the reforms sought by international partners, including the European Union.

France’s foreign ministry said Thursday that the vote was essential and welcomed an EU election observation mission.

Abbas also gave written commitments to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold presidential and legislative elections as part of France’s September 2025 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The presidency said the new timetable followed consultations with Palestinian factions and would allow time for broader national dialogue to strengthen unity and resolve electoral difficulties.

Two Palestinian officials told Reuters that Fatah and Hamas representatives agreed to postpone the elections during talks in Cairo on Wednesday.

A Political Divide Since 2006

Hamas defeated Fatah in the 2006 legislative election. Subsequent factional fighting culminated in Hamas taking control of Gaza, leaving Fatah dominant in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Legislative Council has not convened since 2007.

Abbas’s presidential term expired in 2009. He has continued governing by decree.

An August survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found falling support for both factions, which many Palestinians blame for the continuing political division.

Municipal elections took place in April across the West Bank and in Deir al-Balah, the only Gaza city to participate.

That marked the enclave’s first election since 2006.