Middle East
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12:15 min
From the show
Reading time 1 min
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Palestinian activist Samer Sinijlawi called the postponement of the first legislative elections in 20 years to September 2027 "a terrible disappointment" for a generation that has never had a chance to vote. He also dismissed the citing of Israeli restrictions as an excuse, pointing instead to a "rejection" of change among ageing Palestinian leaders.
Speaking from Jerusalem, Sinijlawi reminded viewers that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had pledged in writing to French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders to hold elections by June 2026.
Paris rallied 15 countries to recognise a Palestinian state on the condition of "reform and elections", Sinijlawi said, adding that "President Macron has delivered the goods".
Read morePalestinian president Abbas postpones legislative, presidential elections to September 2027
Sinijlawi named Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh as the main driver behind the postponement, saying he "has been leading this effort in a very public way".
The Palestinian activist also warned that donor countries' taxpayers may balk at funding "a system that is refusing elections". "I am sure there will be consequences," he said.
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