Palestinian president postpones elections until late 2027
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas previously committed to holding legislative elections in November 2026. He said that due to "obstacles posed by Israeli measures" the vote would be pushed back until late next year.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has delayed legislative elections until September 11, 2027, according to a decree released on Friday. This comes after he had originally planned the legislative elections for November 28 and the presidential elections for early next year. Both elections will be the first held in over two decades.
Abbas cited Israeli measures as the reason for the postponement, mentioning Israeli settler violence, military attacks, movement restrictions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Israel's continued withholding of tax revenue. In Gaza, the decree noted exceptional security and humanitarian conditions, incomplete Israeli force withdrawal, and slow reconstruction progress.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the decision, calling it a "ridiculous lie" designed to avoid responsibility. Abbas had previously pledged to hold elections as part of France's recognition of the State of Palestine, but now faces criticism for the delay.
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