Hamas plans to run in upcoming Palestinian elections, names Al-Aqsa Mosque core priority - report

Hamas to Run in Palestinian Elections, Seeks Broad Coalition

Hamas has confirmed its intention to participate in the Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for November 28, the first such vote in two decades. Hussam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said the group would run as part of a broad national coalition, as reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.

Badran, who also serves as Hamas's national relations official, told Al Jazeera that the movement has held bilateral and collective meetings with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the National Initiative, and Democratic Reform, the faction led by Mohammed Dahlan. He said Hamas has decided to participate but prefers to run within the widest possible national bloc. "We do not need permission or a guarantee from any party to participate in the Palestinian elections. This is an inherent right for all factions," Badran said, adding that Israeli objections would not influence the decision.

Elections and the Political Landscape

President Mahmoud Abbas's July 9 decree called for legislative elections on November 28, with campaigning set to launch on November 6. The vote is the first since January 2006, when Hamas won 74 seats and Fatah took 45. The elections proceed despite ongoing complexities, including Israel's military campaign in Gaza, escalating violence in the West Bank, and Israeli restrictions in East Jerusalem.

Hamas's participation comes as several factions opposed to Abbas explore forming a coalition. A Palestinian figure who attended a Cairo meeting of the anti-Abbas coalition told the Jerusalem Post that no final decision has been made, but the aim is clear: "We want to bring Abbas down; We want to end his dominance." Leaders from Hamas, Dahlan's Democratic Reform Bloc, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Nasser al-Qudwa's National Democratic Forum, and the PFLP convened in Cairo last week to discuss a "wide national list."

Osama al-Farra, a leader in Democratic Reform, revealed to Al Jazeera that a delegation led by Dahlan met on Monday with a Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya. Al-Farra confirmed that Democratic Reform decided to participate, favoring a broad national alliance. He also noted that the name of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Fatah figure imprisoned in Israel, frequently emerges as a potential presidential candidate due to his mass appeal. Al-Farra warned against separating legislative and presidential elections, citing the 2021 cancellation when Abbas postponed both votes, reportedly over Israeli restrictions in East Jerusalem.

Fatah's Response and Ramallah Concerns

Fatah, the ruling party, has taken a different stance. Munther al-Hayek, a Fatah spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that the movement's organizational bases refuse to participate with Hamas on a single list, though the door remains open to alliances with other factions. He described the elections as aimed at unifying the Palestinian political system.

However, anxiety has emerged within the Palestinian Authority leadership in Ramallah, according to several Palestinian sources cited by the Jerusalem Post. The prospect of a Hamas-Dahlan alliance has raised alarm, as Palestinian law gives the largest parliamentary bloc the right to form the next government. A source close to Dahlan's faction claimed that "Abu Mazen's Fatah are now threatened politically because they know the public sees them as corrupt and wants change." The source also confirmed recent Egyptian attempts to reconcile Abbas and Dahlan.

As part of counter-efforts, a Fatah delegation headed by Hussein al-Sheikh visited Cairo on Monday, holding discussions with Dahlan's associate Samir Mashharawi. Mashharawi told Arab media that "unifying the Fatah movement can only be achieved through actions" and that he presented points to submit to Abbas. Al-Sheikh insisted the elections would go ahead in November, stressing they must include Jerusalem and Gaza, but said Hamas could not run under its name or official figures.

Hamas's Priorities: Al-Aqsa and Prisoners

In an interview with Al-Aqsa TV, Badran outlined Hamas's priorities beyond the elections. He said the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem remain a focus, accusing Israel of exploiting the war in Gaza as an excuse to alter the status quo at the site. He also said the West Bank had become part of Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy to expand Israeli reach.

Badran emphasized Hamas's commitment to securing the release of Palestinian prisoners, noting that Hamas had secured the release of thousands in hostage-prisoner exchanges following its October 7 invasion of southern Israel. He described the elections as "a historic opportunity to bring about change in the Palestinian situation and end the state of unilateral decision-making that has continued for two decades."

Badran also said the majority of Palestinian factions, including Hamas, opposed requiring parties to meet conditions based on political positions to run. Those running are required to formally recognize the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

Perspectives

Hamas: The movement seeks to participate in elections within a broad national coalition, viewing the vote as a chance to bring change and end unilateral decision-making. Its priorities include protecting Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem, securing prisoner releases, and opposing Israeli influence in the West Bank.

Fatah: The party refuses a joint list with Hamas but supports alliances with other factions. It sees the elections as a means to unify the political system, insists on including Jerusalem and Gaza, and maintains that Hamas must not run under its name.

Dahlan's Democratic Reform Bloc: The faction favors a broad national alliance, confirming participation and supporting a coalition that includes Hamas. It highlights Marwan Barghouti as a potential presidential candidate and warns against repeating the 2021 cancellation.

Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority leadership: There is reported anxiety over a possible Hamas-Dahlan alliance, which could weaken Abbas's position and, under Palestinian law, allow the largest parliamentary bloc to form the next government. This has prompted consideration of counter-moves.