Palestinian Authority Sets Legislative Elections for November 28

The Palestinian Authority announced legislative elections for November 28, the first such vote in 20 years. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued the decree on Thursday calling for elections across East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

The announcement follows the October 2025 U.S.-brokered cease-fire and renewed international discussion of a future Palestinian state. A technocratic committee created by the cease-fire has not yet entered Gaza.

Background on the Palestinian Authority The Palestinian Authority was established in the 1990s under the Oslo Accords to provide limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It has exercised only partial civil control over areas of the West Bank and has not governed Gaza since 2007.

The last legislative elections occurred in 2006. Hamas won those elections, defeating the dominant Fatah party. The Palestinian Legislative Council has remained largely inactive since and was formally dissolved in 2018.

The European Union, which provides financial support to the Palestinian Authority, has called for governance reforms and supported holding elections. Last June, Abbas sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron committing to elections under international supervision.

France recognized the State of Palestine in September. Several other Western countries also recognized a Palestinian state that month. Abbas was elected to a four-year term in 2005 and has ruled by decree since. Last month, Abbas stated that presidential elections would take place in early 2027.

Hamas announced earlier this month that it would dissolve its government and transfer authority to the technocratic committee.