Palestinian Elections

Palestinian elections: Why canceling the vote in November would be a mistake - opinion

None of these concerns should become an excuse to deny Palestinians the right to choose their leadership. Palestinian politics has suffered for years from a deep crisis of legitimacy.

|ByGERSHON BASKIN
A Palestinian woman is seen voting in local elections, in Gaza.
A Palestinian woman is seen voting in local elections, in Gaza.

PA elections should be held after Israeli election results, Palestinian think tank says

The Ramallah-based think tank predicted Fatah will not secure a parliamentary majority unless opposition forces remain deeply divided.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looks on as he visits the Istishari Cancer Center in Ramallah, in the West Bank, May 14, 2025.

Mahmoud Abbas: Do not reverse your most popular decision, extinguish our last bit of hope - opinion

Since the decision to hold elections was announced, nearly two million Palestinians have responded with renewed hope and registered to participate – close to 90 % of eligible voters. 

|BySAMER SINIJLAWI
MOHAMMAD DAHLAN, leader of Fatah’s Democratic Reform faction, has called for Palestinians to put past divisions aside and build a political system in which elections transfer power, and institutions are ‘greater than individuals.’

Can Fatah’s Democratic Reform faction handle peace with both Israel and Hamas?

PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS: Politically active Palestinians argue that Palestinians must learn to coexist with people they may profoundly disagree with, and do so peacefully.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

The Palestinian partner: Could this new political party's vision be a path to peace? - opinion

The path to peace must be based on the belief that on the land between the river and the sea there are two peoples who are deeply connected to the same land.

DECEMBER 24, 2025ByGERSHON BASKIN
The flags of Israel and Palestine are seen on a map of the Middle East (illustrative)

Palestinian Authority arrests activists for demanding reforms, elections

PA security officers arrested two prominent activists, Omar Assaf and Bashar al-Takrouri, and confiscated the mobile phone of another activist, Jamileh Abed.

NOVEMBER 5, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Members of the Palestinian security forces clash with demonstrators during a protest organised by Hizb-ut Tahrir against what organisers say are political arrests by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank city of Hebron February 25, 2017.

Palestinians demand elections as discontent with leadership grows

PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS: Abdel Kareem Salameh: "The people want change. These are the initial signs of a revolt against the Palestinian leadership."

AUGUST 5, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
PALESTINIAN LAWYERS protest against the Palestinian Authority’s rule by decree and demand a return to normal parliamentary lawmaking, in Ramallah last week.

Abbas loyalists lose Bethlehem University election

The election results are regarded as a serious blow to Abbas and the PA and Fatah leadership.

MARCH 24, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Arab students seen on the campus of the Bethlehem University, a Catholic co-educational institution, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

Why does Fatah lose at the Palestinian Authority polls? - opinion

Previewing the March 26 Palestinian elections.

MARCH 16, 2022ByEID MUSTAFA, DAVID A. FRANK
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas makes a speech during a Palestinian Central Council meeting in Ramallah, February 6, 2022.

How to work for a two-state solution for Israel, Palestine - opinion

If there is any chance of saving the two-state solution then at least two things need to happen: Elections in Palestine and recognition of the State of Palestine.

MARCH 2, 2022ByGERSHON BASKIN
MARWAN BARGHOUTI is brought into court by police for his judgment hearing in May 2004, at which he was convicted on five counts of murder in terrorist attacks.

On This Day in 2005: Mahmoud Abbas elected Palestinian Authority president

The election marked the beginning of Abbas's four-year term as president, which has lasted 17 years with no other elections having been held.

JANUARY 9, 2022ByAARON REICH
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks with journalists at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah

Hamas says rejects municipal elections in Gaza

Hamas and other Palestinian groups have criticized the Palestinian Authority for splitting the municipal elections into two phases.

JANUARY 3, 2022ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
MEMBERS OF the Hamas Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades take part in a military event in Gaza City last week.

Hamas: Despite boycott, our supporters ran in municipal elections

The ruling Fatah faction declared victory in the Palestinian municipal elections in the West Bank, while Hamas said that some of its supporters gained significant achievements.

DECEMBER 12, 2021ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
A Palestinian casts his ballot to vote in the municipal elections, near Jenin in the West Bank, December 11, 2021

Palestinian factions oppose PA plan to hold municipal elections

The PA government said that the first phase of the elections, the first since 2017, will be held on December 11.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas