‘Disregarded hopes of millions’: Palestinians angered after Abbas again postpones PLC elections
Abbas announced on Saturday that the elections, originally scheduled for November 28, would be postponed until September 11, 2027.
Palestinian leaders are furious after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas once again delayed the long-pending Palestinian Legislative Council elections. Candidates who had intended to run expressed their disappointment to The Jerusalem Post, stating that the two-decade absence of legislative elections highlights the Palestinian Authority's prioritization of the status quo over public interests.
Abbas announced the postponement of the elections, originally planned for November 28, to September 11, 2027, citing Israeli barriers and noting that Palestinian factions had agreed to the delay.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa ar dismissed the PA's accusations as "ridiculous lies," while New Path leader Samer Sinijlawi accused Palestinian Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Deputy Secretary-General Jamil Mezher of orchestrating the decision. Dr. Nabil Kukali, founder of the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, suggested that Palestinians would likely accept the postponement if the elections could be held in East Jerusalem and Gaza, provided they perceived a genuine intent to hold them.
Sinijlawi emphasized that the decision disregarded the hopes of millions of Palestinians who eagerly anticipated the opportunity to participate in the political system. He criticized Abbas's move as placing the interests of those who benefit from the status quo above the public interest, asserting that the right to vote cannot be subject to anyone's calculations.
The postponement had particularly detrimental effects on Gaza candidates, many of whom had volunteered to run despite living in tents and dedicating their efforts to shaping a different future. Ahmad Shadid, leader of the Phoenix list, expressed skepticism regarding the PA's explanation, demanding honesty and transparency. Majda Al-Masri, deputy secretary-general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, called for a national dialogue to address the crisis and unify efforts to confront the occupation.
Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative list, vehemently opposed the postponement, demanding that the Palestinian Authority guarantee the election would not be delayed again in September. Despite his opposition, Barghouti acknowledged the importance of a comprehensive national dialogue focusing on developing a unified strategy to tackle the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
