The EU calls on Israeli authorities ‘’to facilitate the holding of elections across all the Palestinian territory.’’
‘’It’s possible the election announcement was intended for the ears of the new tenant in the White House, with the aim of ushering in a new era of relations between the Palestinians and Washington. Indeed, Biden’s administration will likely be more receptive to the well-rehearsed and false presentation of democracy Abbas will attempt to sell it,’’ writes Mideast expert Prof. Eyal Zisser of Tel Aviv university.
The European Union has welcomed the announcement by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that general elections would be held in the Palestinian territories for the first time in 15 years.
The EU also called on Israeli authorities ‘’to facilitate the holding of elections across all the Palestinian territory.’’
On Friday, Abbas enacted a decree-law on holding legislative, presidential and National Council elections in the coming month. The decree calls for both legislative and presidential votes on May 22 and July 31, respectively.
‘’This is a welcome development as participative, representative and accountable democratic institutions are key for Palestinian self-determination and state-building,’’ an EU spokesperson said.
The Eu statement added: ‘’The EU has in the past years consistently supported and funded the work of the Central Elections Commission in order to prepare for holding free, fair and inclusive elections for all Palestinians. The EU stands ready to engage with relevant actors to support the electoral process.’’
Abbas has made several promises to hold elections but has shelved them time after time. While he was only elected to a four-year term, Abbas has been in office since 2005. Recently, he has come under pressure from the European Union to conduct a vote, although the last one ended in a landslide victory for the Islamist terror group Hamas.
After a short-lived unity government with Abbas’ ruling Fatah faction, a civil war erupted, resulting in Hamas seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. Abbas has since continued to rule in the West Bank.
The announcement of elections by Mahmoud Abbas is widely seen as a gesture aimed at pleasing US President-elect Joe Biden, with whom the Palestinians want to reset relations after they reached a low under Donald Trump.
‘’It’s possible the election announcement was intended for the ears of the new tenant in the White House, with the aim of ushering in a new era of relations between the Palestinians and Washington. Indeed, Biden’s administration will likely be more receptive to the well-rehearsed and false presentation of democracy Abbas will attempt to sell it,’’ writes Mideast expert Prof. Eyal Zisser of Tel Aviv university.