Message to France: Postponing the Palestinian legislative elections for several months due to deteriorating conditions

Ramallah - Ofoq News - Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh informed France of the postponement of the Palestinian legislative elections, scheduled for next November 28, for several months, due to the deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

The letter, addressed to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and dated October 8, stated that the evaluation concluded that the political, security and economic conditions that were expected to be available for holding the legislative elections on the scheduled date had not been achieved.

The letter added that holding elections under the current circumstances faces fundamental obstacles that affect the comprehensiveness of the electoral process, the freedom to participate in it, and its integrity.

Serious doubts have been raised about the possibility of holding Palestinian Authority elections at the end of next November, in light of the continuing political and security challenges facing the Palestinian territories.

Palestinian legislative or presidential elections have not been held since 2005 and 2006, when the last elections of this kind were held, before Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip and expelled forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas from it.

Officials within the Fatah movement called for dialogue with Hamas and other Palestinian factions to reach a common national vision before proceeding with the electoral process.

Other officials pointed out that there are obstacles preventing the entry of ballot boxes, electoral papers, and ink into the Gaza Strip, considering that these restrictions will make voting impossible.

The letter said that Palestinian officials expected conditions to improve through the implementation of US President Donald Trump's peace initiative and the implementation of a UN Security Council resolution, including the deployment of international forces and Palestinian police in the Gaza Strip, the disarmament of Hamas, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

She added that the Palestinian side was also expecting American action to prevent further annexation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, limit settler violence, and release Palestinian funds held by Israel, amounting to about 7 billion dollars.

The letter stated: “But these steps, understandings and promises were not fulfilled, and the situation deteriorated throughout the Palestinian territories,” referring to security problems in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Based on this assessment, Palestinian officials recommended to President Mahmoud Abbas to adjust the date of the legislative elections and postpone them for several months, while continuing the dialogue with the aim of creating the necessary internal conditions for their holding, according to the letter.

The letter was sent to France after its recognition of the State of Palestine in September 2025, as Paris had called, within the framework of the recognition decision, to proceed with holding the scheduled Palestinian legislative and presidential elections.