Palestinian Elections

Marvel actors join campaign calling for release of Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti

Barghouti is a former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a terrorist organization that carried out many suicide bombings and shooting attacks during the Second Intifada.

|ByJONAH DAVIDOV, MATHILDA HELLER
MARWAN BARGHOUTI is escorted in handcuffs by police into Jerusalem Magistrates Court in 2012.
Hamas militants stand guard near a stage before releasing Israeli hostage Agam Berger to a Red Cross team in Jabalia on January 30, 2025, as part of their third hostage-prisoner exchange; illustrative

Hamas plans to run in upcoming Palestinian elections, to prioritize status quo at al-Aqsa Mosque

Elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council are set to go ahead on November 28, the first in 20 years after Hamas won in January 2006. Hamas won 74 of the seats, with Fatah following behind.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah (L) and Hamas politburo member Khalil al-Hayya.

Mahmoud Abbas's election promise won't bring democracy to Palestinians - opinion

It would be naïve to assume that Mahmoud Abbas’ announcement of elections is a sign of democratization

|ByMERIT HABIB MATTA
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves as he arrives for the opening the Fatah youth conference in Ramallah on November 27, 2025.

The Palestinian Authority is not ideal. It is necessary for Gaza - opinion

A reformed PA is not a perfect solution, but it is the most viable option for replacing Hamas as Gaza’s governing authority.

|ByJONAH NAGHI

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

Palestinians to hold municipal elections in December

The Palestinian Authority has decided to hold municipal elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in December for the first time since 2017.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
HAMAS SUPPORTERS in Gaza take part in a protest against Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone parliamentary elections, last week.

Mahmoud Abbas: The biggest loser in Israel-Gaza escalation - analysis

Abbas has lost the attention of the Palestinians and many in the international community, who no longer see him as a relevant player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

MAY 14, 2021ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meets with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (not pictured) in Cairo, Egypt January 31, 2020

14-Day news roundup: Meron tragedy

Israeli news highlights from the past two weeks.

MAY 12, 2021BySTEVE LINDE
The bodies of the victims of the tragedy at Mount Meron on Lag Ba'omer.

Can Israel calm the storm brewing over Jerusalem? -analysis

This is the time for Israel to be smart, not only right.

MAY 10, 2021ByHERB KEINON
Palestinians protest during an anti-Israel protest over tension in Jerusalem, in Gaza City, April 24, 2021.

Palestinians count down to the end of Abbas's era

PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS: The decision to delay Palestinian elections will have far-reaching implications

MAY 6, 2021ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
HAMAS SUPPORTERS in Gaza take part in a protest against Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone parliamentary elections, last week.

Palestinian elections and the unknown road ahead - opinion

There are serious reasons behind the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most Israelis are blind to the realities of occupation.

MAY 5, 2021ByGERSHON BASKIN
HAMAS SUPPORTERS protest in the southern Gaza Strip last month against Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to postpone the planned parliamentary election.