Palestinian leaders hold rare party meeting as polls show rising discontent

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Palestinian leaders hold rare party meeting as polls show rising discontent26 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleYolande KnellMiddle East correspondent, RamallahBBCIt is the first meeting of its kind in nearly 10 yearsTop leaders of the main Palestinian political faction, Fatah, are electing its highest decision-making body, at its first major conference in a decade. The 90-year-old Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas – who rules by decree – was re-elected as head of Fatah on Wednesday. Leading figures are promising unity and a political refresh.

But ordinary Palestinians complain that this meeting, coming at a critical time for their nationalist cause, is showcasing the opposite. Palestinian opinion polls indicate profound dissatisfaction with Abbas, with most wanting him to resign. There is also disquiet that his eldest son – a businessman – is on the ballot for a senior party position for the first time.

The Details

Addressing the conference on its opening day on Thursday, Abbas promised the first presidential and parliamentary elections in 20 years – without giving a timeline. "We renew our full commitment to continuing work on implementing all the reform measures we pledged," he said. He declared that holding the gathering "on our homeland's soil confirms our determination to continue on the democratic path".

The president and the Palestinian Authority (PA) are under increasing pressure from the US, European Union and Arab countries to carry out reforms and hold elections. They face claims of corruption and political stagnation – as well as declining legitimacy. The Palestinian reality has drastically changed since the last general conference at the end of 2016.

In 2023, the deadly Hamas-led assault on Israel triggered the brutal Gaza war. Palestinians have been "slaughtered, displaced and devastated", Abbas said in his opening address to the conference, leaving an "unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe". At the same time, a key Israeli minister has pledged "to bury the idea of a Palestinian state".

What Experts Say

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem increasingly face being pushed from their homes and land as Jewish settlements grow faster than ever. Settlements are illegal under international law. This is further weakening the PA – dominated by Fatah – which governs parts of the West Bank.

On top of that, Israel is withholding tax transfers that it collects for the PA – deepening its economic woes – because of an ongoing dispute about Palestinian school texts which Israel claims incite violence, and stipends to the families of those jailed or killed by Israel, including attackers. The PA says it is now owed some $5bn (£3. 3bn euros), meaning it pays most civil servants only part of their salaries and restricts some public services.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.