Is the space for independent alternatives expanding in Palestinian politics?

Ramallah - Ofoq News - Palestinian political competition is no longer read from the perspective of party affiliation alone. The results of the election poll issued by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in October 2026 reveal an expanding area of ​​​​citizens not affiliated with a party, and a growing interest in independent lists that present themselves through professional and economic competence and the ability to address living crises.

According to the poll, which was conducted between October 7 and 11 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 56% of respondents said that they were ready to vote for a new independent list that includes professional, economic, and national figures. On the other hand, 25% said that they did not want to vote for such a list, while 19% had not decided their position.

These results come at a time when the poll showed that 33% of Palestinians do not support any of the partisan options presented to them, and the percentage rises to 48% in the West Bank, compared to 11% in the Gaza Strip, and the percentage of direct support for the Fatah movement reached 22%, compared to 19% for Hamas.

These numbers do not necessarily mean that Palestinian society is moving decisively towards economic leadership, but they do indicate the existence of a political space that independent figures with experience in managing institutions, investment and development can benefit from, if they are able to transform this experience into a convincing national program.

From political discourse to economic results

These transformations gain special importance in light of the difficult economic conditions that the Palestinians are experiencing, the decline in job opportunities, the pressures on the private sector, the widespread destruction that occurred in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the economic and movement restrictions in the West Bank.

In such circumstances, the ability to create job opportunities, attract investments, rebuild, and improve services may become a more important part of citizens’ evaluation of political leaders. This raises a question that goes beyond party affiliation: Can the candidate provide implementable solutions, and not just diagnose the crisis?

Bashar Al-Masry, the Palestinian businessman known for his investment and development projects, stands out among the figures whose position in this transformation can be studied, as his name has been linked to the city of Rawabi, and to companies and investments in multiple sectors including real estate, technology, financial services, agriculture, and others. This experience provides material for discussion regarding the role that the private sector can play in Palestinian economic development, in light of the existing political and economic restrictions.

What does the poll say about Bashar al-Masry?

The results of the poll provide an important indication of the relationship between the candidate’s economic background and electoral preferences. In the initial test of list preferences among voters likely to participate who had decided on their choices, the independent list led by Bashar al-Masry obtained 15%, but when information about his economic background and program was presented, the percentage rose to 25%, and stabilized at the same level after additional details about the program were presented, according to the models provided by the center.

A separate test on the ability to manage economic recovery and improve living conditions showed that Al-Masry got 30%, ahead of Mustafa Barghouti, who got 29%. These results indicate that information related to economic experience and the program may be linked to a noticeable change in the preferences of some voters.

Between the economy and national commitment

Evaluating Al-Masry’s experience is not limited to his commercial activity, as his name has been associated with the “On the Land” initiative, which was launched in 2020 to support initiatives and projects that strengthen Palestinians’ connection to their land and their steadfastness in the face of settlement expansion. He also became prominent through his relief initiatives in the Gaza Strip, the most famous of which was the Gaza Al-Azza Kitchens during the war, which the party in charge of said provided millions of meals to needy families and displaced people in the Gaza Strip.

Its economic activities also include projects in Jerusalem and Gaza and various production and service sectors, in addition to operational projects targeting youth in affected Palestinian areas. These initiatives provide part of the image through which some citizens may view an economic personality that combines investment and community work.

Are we facing a shift in the nature of competition?

Perhaps the most important thing in the poll results is not the rise of a specific name, but rather the widening of the field for options that are not based exclusively on factional affiliation. The presence of 56% ready to vote for a new independent list opens a discussion about the possibility of the emergence of lists that combine economic, professional, and civil figures, and present an integrated program for managing the economy, services, and reconstruction.

In conclusion, the October poll reveals a broader space for independent alternatives and a new test for Palestinian political life.