Abbas Postpones Palestinian Legislative Elections Until September 2027
On Saturday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed legislative elections due next month. The new date is 11 September 2027.
Abbas also called a presidential vote for the same date. Abbas blamed Israel and the security situation in the Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian Authority blamed Israeli “obstacles” for the latest delay. Abbas said conditions were not good enough for elections.
A committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization cited conditions in several places. These included East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
It said Israel was not letting election materials or observers into Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected Abbas’s blame.
Rumors of the postponement were spreading on Friday. Sa’ar accused Abbas of “fooling the international community.” He said Abbas was again canceling promised elections.
The vote would have let Palestinians vote on reviving a dissolved parliament. Palestinians had not had major elections for about two decades. Abbas has been president for 21 years.
Key Terms 3
- Palestinian Authority The government that runs parts of the West Bank.
- Palestine Liberation Organization The main group that represents Palestinians internationally.
- dissolved parliament A parliament that was officially ended and shut down.