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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday postponed legislative elections scheduled for Nov. 28 and set Sept. 11, 2027, as the date for simultaneous presidential and legislative polls, citing "obstacles posed by Israeli measures," the official Wafa news agency reported.
The decree calls on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to take part in elections for the president of the State of Palestine and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, revoking an earlier decree.
Palestinians have not held legislative or presidential elections since 2005-06, and the polls are among the reforms the international community, including the EU, has demanded of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The decree followed a decision by the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee and consultations with Palestinian factions, which resulted in "a national consensus on obstacles posed by Israeli measures to holding elections on the previously scheduled date and the need to establish suitable political, security and field conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections," Wafa reported.
It cited Israeli military attacks, settlement expansion, settler violence and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as Israel’s withholding of Palestinian tax revenues.
In Gaza, the decree pointed to "exceptional security and humanitarian conditions," the failure to deploy international stabilization and police forces under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803, the lack of progress in reconstruction and the incomplete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
It also said Israel restricted access to Gaza and East Jerusalem for election commission staff and international observers. The delay aims to allow time for a national dialogue to strengthen Palestinian unity, the decree said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Friday accused Abbas of "fooling the international community" by planning to postpone the polls.
Israel has also called the Palestinian Authority "corrupt" over the anticipated delay.
Earlier this week, the Palestinian Authority said Israel refused to allow Palestinian election officials access to East Jerusalem or Gaza.
Hamas won the last legislative elections in 2006, defeating Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority. The rift led to factional fighting, and Hamas later seized control of Gaza.
The Palestinian Legislative Council has not met since 2007.
Abbas won the last presidential election in 2005. His term was due to expire in 2009, but he has since ruled by decree, as the Palestinian elections are now pushed to next year.
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