Palestinian groups call for democratic elections to renew national legitimacy

Palestinian political groups and youth organizations are calling for the holding of legislative elections to renew national legitimacy and democratic life. Ibrahim Ibrahim, coordinator of the Palestinian National Committee in Germany, emphasized that elections must be a genuine democratic right rather than a tool for factional dominance or a mere redistribution of influence among political powers.

Ibrahim highlighted the importance of including the Palestinian diaspora in the electoral process, noting that millions live in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and across Europe and the Americas. He argued that the Palestinian National Council should represent the entire population, not just residents of the West Bank and Gaza.

The youth sector of the Palestinian Civil Society Organizations Network issued a statement asserting that the elections, scheduled for November 28, 2026, are a constitutional and national necessity. The group called on decision-makers to ensure the elections are held on time across the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as a single political and geographic unit. They also advocated for lowering the candidacy age to 23 to allow for new leadership and demanded official decrees to protect public freedoms and ensure the neutrality of state institutions during the process.