Cairo is hosting a new round of Palestinian national dialogue on Wednesday and Thursday, attended by leaders from the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Fatah, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, to address internal division and restore Palestinian unity.
Palestinian sources said the talks would address Hamas and Islamic Jihad joining the Palestine Liberation Organisation. The discussions will also cover ways to create the conditions needed to reach political understandings paving the way for Palestinian elections, as part of efforts to unite the Palestinian ranks.
Presidential decree sets date for Palestinian elections
The meetings follow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issuing a presidential decree last Saturday calling for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections to be held on 11 September 2027, based on a decision by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
Under the new decree, Abbas revoked an earlier decree that had set 28 November as the date for holding Palestinian Legislative Council elections alone. The earlier decree had called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to take part in those elections.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa said the decision was issued on the basis of national consultations held with Palestinian factions and political forces. The consultations concluded with a national consensus on the obstacles preventing elections from being held on their previous date, and on the need to create the political and security conditions for free and fair elections.
The agency added that the decision also aims to allow for comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue, strengthening national unity and the unity of the territory and political system. It also seeks to address the challenges facing the electoral process and ensure broad voter participation in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Fatah reaffirms continuation of comprehensive national dialogue
Earlier on Tuesday, the Central Committee of Fatah stressed the importance of continuing comprehensive national dialogue with the various Palestinian forces and factions after a meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
In a statement, it stressed the need to give dialogue efforts an opportunity to strengthen national unity and preserve the unity of the territory, the cause and the national decision.
