Palestinians Set November Election. It's Been 20 Years.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas just announced legislative elections for late November. This is a pretty big deal, considering the last time Palestinians got to cast a ballot in a legislative election was way back in 2006. So, if this actually happens, it'll be the first in two decades.

Abbas dropped the decree on Thursday, penciling in November 28 for the vote. It's slated to cover the entire Palestinian enchilada: the occupied West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Apparently, there's been some serious international nudging from countries like France and Saudi Arabia, who are keen to see a bit of a political refresh.

The Hurdles Are... Substantial

Now, about those 'ifs.' There are a few rather significant speed bumps on the road to the ballot box. For starters, Israel hasn't said a peep yet about allowing Palestinians to vote in occupied East Jerusalem. This isn't a minor detail; it was the exact reason elections got canceled in 2021. So, you know, history repeats and all that.

Then there's Gaza. The ongoing war has pretty much turned the entire 2.1 million population into displaced persons. Over 90% of the Strip is, to put it mildly, not exactly ready for polling stations. Infrastructure? Gone. Population registry? Needs a serious update. It’s like trying to organize a bake sale on the moon.

Abbas himself was elected for a four-year term in 2005 and has, shall we say, overstayed his welcome by about 15 years, ruling by decree. This has naturally led to a few accusations of corruption and power abuse, both at home and abroad. He did mention presidential elections for early next year, but whether he'll be on the ticket remains to be seen. And despite polls showing Palestinians are absolutely itching for elections and new leadership, the general vibe on the street isn't exactly a party. Which, if you think about it, is both understandable and a little heartbreaking.