Hamas returns to elections after 20 years, while Fatah faces the challenges of division
In a surprising move, the “Hamas” movement has announced its participation in the Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for November 28, 2026.
This will not be the first time that “Hamas” has participated in elections. The movement previously took part in the 2006 elections, before its confrontation with the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and its takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
A substantial amendment
The decision comes after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas introduced a condition aimed at preventing Hamas from participating in the elections. In June, he amended the electoral law to require “recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the legitimate and sole representative of the Palestinian people, its political and national program, and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.”
“Hamas” is not a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization and has set conditions for joining it. For many years, it has also refused to commit to the organization’s political program, which is based on peace with Israel in pursuit of a two-state solution.
Although “Hamas” has stated that it respects resolutions of international legitimacy, it has never officially declared its acceptance of the existence of the State of Israel.
The decision by “Hamas” to participate in the upcoming legislative elections is therefore expected to make the contest particularly competitive.
Challenges facing Fatah
In addition to the “Hamas” decision, reports indicate that the reformist current within the “Fatah” movement has decided to contest the elections with an independent list, alongside another list made up of figures close to Marwan Barghouti, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee who is being held in Israeli prisons.
These decisions pose significant challenges to Fatah’s official electoral list, which is seeking to win the elections.
The first legislative elections in 20 years
These will be the first legislative elections since 2006, provided they actually take place.
A total of 132 members are to be elected to represent Palestinians in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Legislative Council was dissolved in 2018 following Hamas’s forcible takeover of the Gaza Strip in mid-2007 and the failure of multiple reconciliation efforts.
On April 30, 2021, Abbas issued a decree postponing the legislative elections that had been scheduled for May 22 of that year, citing the lack of guarantees for Palestinian participation in Jerusalem.
It remains unclear whether the elections will actually take place if Israel refuses to allow them to be held in Jerusalem.
The decision to participate
Hossam Badran, a Hamas leader and head of the movement’s National Relations Office, said the movement would participate in the elections within the broadest possible national coalition. He also confirmed its readiness to contest the election and work toward forming a bloc encompassing a wide range of Palestinian political forces.
In statements to the press, Badran explained that Hamas had, over the past month, begun a series of meetings and contacts with various Palestinian forces, factions, and figures in an effort to establish the broadest possible national electoral coalition, based on an agreed political program.
Preparing the ground for the decision
“Hamas” had laid the groundwork for the decision by calling on Palestinians to register to vote.
On Tuesday, Hamas called in a statement on Palestinians to register promptly and update their information in the electoral register, thereby ensuring their right to participate in the upcoming Palestinian elections.
How will it participate?
It may be relatively easy for the movement to announce its candidates in the Gaza Strip. However, putting forward candidates in the West Bank and East Jerusalem could prove considerably more difficult and risky.
Israel has arrested thousands of the movement’s members and activists in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
This could force the movement to put forward candidates who are close to it but are not officially members of its leadership.
