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Hamas called for a “comprehensive national dialogue” after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed presidential and legislative elections until Sept. 11, 2027, saying it was ready to join talks to rebuild Palestinian institutions and agree on a common political program.
Abbas issued a decree Saturday setting simultaneous presidential and legislative elections for Sept. 11, 2027, replacing plans for legislative elections on Nov. 28.
According to the official Wafa news agency, Abbas cited “obstacles posed by Israeli measures” as the reason for postponing the vote.
The decree calls on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to elect the president of the State of Palestine and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Hamas said late Saturday that conditions were not in place for free and fair elections in the occupied Palestinian territories, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The group said the delay should create an opportunity for “serious and productive” national talks aimed at reaching binding agreements on restructuring Palestinian institutions, particularly the Palestinian National Council and Legislative Council.
Hamas also called for agreement on a national strategy covering a common political program, arrangements for a transitional period and how to confront what it described as serious Israeli threats to the Palestinian cause, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
The group said rebuilding and reforming Palestinian institutions through free and fair elections remained a national priority.
Nearly 2.97 million Palestinians are eligible to vote, including about 1.59 million in the occupied West Bank, 1.24 million in Gaza and 140,000 Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem.
Palestinians last held legislative elections in 2006, when Hamas won a majority of seats. The Palestinian political system has remained divided since 2007, with Hamas governing Gaza and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority based in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians have not held presidential or legislative elections since 2005-06, and elections are among reforms sought from the Palestinian Authority by the international community, including the European Union.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected Abbas’ claim that Israeli measures were responsible for the postponement.
“Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian corrupt dictator, who has not held elections in over twenty years, has once again deceived the international community,” Saar said on X.
He accused Abbas of falsely blaming Israel for the delay and said the claim was intended to avoid responsibility and accountability.
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