Hamas and Palestinian Factions Explore Broad Electoral Alliance

Hamas and several other Palestinian political factions that oppose the Fatah-led government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are exploring the possibility of forming a broad electoral alliance ahead of the crucial vote expected later this year.

Husam Badran, a Hamas foreign relations official, said the movement has held bilateral and collective meetings with groups including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the National Initiative, and the Democratic Reform bloc led by Mohammed Dahlan — a breakaway faction from Fatah. Previously, Dahlan and his Democratic Reform faction were strong critics of Hamas.

In a decree issued on July 9, Abbas called for Palestinian legislative elections to be held on November 28. This would be the first such vote since January 2006. The electoral campaign is expected to begin on November 6, despite complex circumstances, including Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, escalating violence in the West Bank, and Israeli restrictions in East Jerusalem.

Before the official campaign period, major Palestinian factions have already begun political activities, according to faction leaders and political analysts.

Hamas seeks a broad bloc

Badran said Hamas has decided to participate in the elections but wants to run within the widest possible national bloc. He emphasized that Hamas's decision is not influenced by any objections from Israel.

“We do not need permission or guarantees from any party to participate in Palestinian elections. This is the inherent right of every faction,” Badran told Al Jazeera.

Fatah rejects joint list

In contrast, the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Fatah's official name, is preparing to run alone. Fatah spokesman Munther al-Hayek said that “Fatah's grassroots organizations refuse to join a single list with Hamas, but the door remains open for alliances with other factions.”

Nevertheless, al-Hayek described the upcoming elections as a means to unify the Palestinian political system. He said the elections are taking place within the framework of existing agreements and that Abbas has formed a committee to dialogue with factions to facilitate the electoral process across the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip.

Roles of Dahlan and Barghouti

The Democratic Reform faction led by Dahlan has emerged as a key player in shaping the potential alliance. Osama al-Farra, a leader within the faction, revealed that a delegation headed by Dahlan met with a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya on Monday. Al-Farra confirmed that the Democratic Reform faction has decided to participate in the legislative elections and supports the formation of a “broad national alliance” comprising factions, experts, and community figures.

Dahlan, who hails from the Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza, served as Gaza's security chief under Yasser Arafat in the 1990s, during which crackdowns on Hamas activists led some to call the territory “Dahlanistan.” Although he was once a bitter enemy of Hamas and was expelled from Fatah by Abbas in 2011, Dahlan — now living in exile in Abu Dhabi — and Hamas have recently found common ground due to their shared opposition to President Abbas.

Al-Farra emphasized that any unified candidate list “will not be against anyone.” He also revealed that the name of Marwan Barghouti, the long-imprisoned leader, frequently appears in discussions among factions about potential presidential candidates due to his wide popularity and his ability to lead a unity project. He warned against separating the legislative and presidential elections, expressing concern about a repeat of what happened in 2021 when the elections were called off at the last minute. Abbas abruptly postponed both the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2021, citing Israeli voting restrictions in East Jerusalem. In this year's decree, Abbas only called for legislative elections without scheduling concurrent presidential polls.

Changing political landscape

Political analyst and writer Ahmed al-Tanani said the idea of a coalition list is a priority for several opposition forces, but warned that its success depends on transforming it into a “broad national program” to restructure the political system rather than just a temporary electoral alliance. He told Al Jazeera that Abbas's call for legislative elections without simultaneous presidential polls is essentially aimed at “renewing the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority” in the face of international pressure.

Al-Tanani noted that the participation of Hamas, the PFLP, and Dahlan's faction has disrupted the calculations of those within Palestinian factions who were betting on an opposition boycott. This shift is reflected in recent polling data. According to survey data, Barghouti leads a hypothetical presidential race with 54% support, followed by al-Hayya with 26% and Abbas with 14%. Additionally, 28% of respondents said Hamas most deserves to lead the Palestinians, compared to 21% for Fatah under Abbas's leadership, indicating that no single faction holds a firm advantage in voter sentiment.