Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree postponing legislative and presidential elections to September 11, 2027. Abbas had previously scheduled legislative elections for November 28, with presidential elections planned for early next year. Had they proceeded as previously planned, they would have marked the first Palestinian elections in more than two decades.
Reasons for the delay
In his decree, Abbas attributed the postponement of what he described as free, fair, and inclusive elections to obstacles posed by Israeli measures. He highlighted Israeli settler violence, military attacks, movement restrictions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the continued withholding of tax revenue by Israel.
Regarding Gaza, where military strikes have continued during the conflict, the decree pointed to exceptional security and humanitarian conditions, the incomplete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a lack of progress toward reconstruction.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded to the announcement on social media, describing the decree as a ridiculous lie aimed at evading responsibility and accountability.
Previous commitments
Abbas had previously provided a written commitment to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that elections would be held as part of France’s recognition of the State of Palestine the prior year. The delay was announced only weeks after Abbas reaffirmed his commitment to holding elections during a video address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Abbas has governed by decree since his presidential mandate expired in 2009.
