Abbas postpones Palestinian legislative elections to September 2027, blaming Israeli 'obstacles'

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 12 October 2026.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has cancelled November's long-awaited legislative elections, issuing a decree that moves both the parliamentary and presidential polls to September 11, 2027. His office cited "obstacles imposed by Israeli measures" as well as security and humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissed the justification, accusing Abbas of "fooling the international community by cancelling once again promised elections."

The vote would have been the first legislative election in Palestinian territories since 2006, when Hamas defeated Fatah.

Abbas's presidential mandate expired in 2009, since when he has governed by decree; Israel has branded him a "corrupt dictator" over the latest delay.

Mohammed Dahlan, head of a Fatah splinter group, condemned the postponement as a "crime against democracy."