Hamas and Islamic Jihad Ally With Mohammed Dahlan
Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Mohammed Dahlan formed an electoral coalition to challenge President Mahmoud Abbas in parliamentary elections scheduled for November 28.
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Mohammed Dahlan have formed an electoral coalition to challenge the dominance of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah party. The alliance intends to support a unified national list of candidates for parliamentary elections scheduled for November 28 in Gaza and the West Bank, aiming to end the monopolization of national decision-making.
The coalition follows a strategic rapprochement between Dahlan, a former Fatah security chief, and Hamas. In August, a delegation led by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya met with Dahlan's representatives in Cairo to discuss the political landscape of the Gaza Strip. This partnership bridges a significant ideological gap, as Dahlan maintains close ties with the United States, Israel, and the ruler of the United Arab Emirates.
Critics of the current administration describe the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas as autocratic and ineffective. However, the viability of the November elections remains uncertain given Abbas's history of delaying votes when Fatah faces potential defeat. Additionally, the coalition faces potential international hurdles, as Western nations have previously boycotted Palestinian governments that include Hamas.
