Why has Palestine postponed its elections until 2027?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed the territory’s legislative elections until September 11, 2027 according to official Palestinian media

Abbas announced the revised schedule in a presidential decree on Saturday October 10, 2026. The legislative elections had originally been scheduled for November 28 this year while the presidential vote had been expected in early 2027.

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa Abbas attributed the delay to obstacles imposed by Israel and the need to establish suitable political, security and practical conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections.

The Palestinian Authority based in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank said earlier this week that Israel had refused to allow Palestinian election officials access to East Jerusalem and Gaza in preparation for the legislative vote.

The presidency argued that these restrictions prevented the elections from proceeding on their original schedule. It said the revised date was intended to provide conditions necessary for voters to participate in a credible electoral process.

However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticised Abbas on Friday accusing him of misleading the international community over the expected postponement. Israel had also previously criticised the Palestinian Authority over the prospect of delaying the elections.

The international community including the European Union has called for elections as part of broader reforms to the Palestinian Authority.

The last legislative elections were held in 2006 when Hamas defeated Fatah the faction that dominates the Palestinian Authority. The result was followed by political and factional conflict eventually leaving Hamas in control of Gaza while Fatah continued to lead the administration in the West Bank.

The division has had lasting consequences for Palestinian political institutions. The Palestinian Legislative Council which serves as the Palestinian Authority’s parliament has not convened since 2007.

Abbas himself won the last presidential election in 2005. His term was due to end in 2009 but subsequent elections were not held, and he has continued governing through presidential decrees.

The newly announced date sets a timetable for both presidential and legislative voting although the elections’ eventual conduct will depend on political, security and practical conditions.