UNITED NATIONS: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has reaffirmed plans to hold legislative elections on November 28, despite growing doubts over whether the vote can take place as scheduled.
Abbas announced in a pre-recorded address to the UN General Assembly from Ramallah, saying Palestinian authorities had completed a national reform programme and were proceeding with preparations for the election.
The vote, if held, would be the first Palestinian legislative election in two decades. Palestinians have not held legislative elections since 2006, while Abbas was elected president in 2005 and has not held a presidential election since.
Election Doubts
The planned vote faces several obstacles, including political divisions within Abbas’ Fatah movement and uncertainty over arrangements for voting in Gaza.
Fatah officials have questioned whether elections can proceed without wider dialogue among Palestinian factions. There are also concerns over whether Israel would allow election materials, including ballot boxes, papers and voting ink, to enter Gaza.
Fatah has yet to announce its candidate list, while the Palestinian Central Election Commission is due to begin receiving candidate applications.
Hamas has said it will participate and is discussing a possible electoral coalition with other Palestinian groups, including supporters of former Fatah leader Mohammad Dahlan.
France Urges Vote
France has called for the Palestinian legislative and presidential elections to proceed and has offered support for preparations, including through European election observers.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the elections were necessary to allow Palestinians to express their political will and their aspirations for self-determination.
Abbas also criticised US restrictions on Palestinian officials attending the UN General Assembly after Washington denied him a visa, saying the measures violated US obligations as the host country.
He called on Washington to lift the restrictions, resume dialogue and support international efforts towards a two-state solution.
Abbas also warned that Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem was fragmenting Palestinian territory and undermining prospects for a Palestinian state.
He said 160 countries had recognised the State of Palestine and urged other countries to follow suit.
