Preliminary Reading of Local Election Results

The results of the local elections suggest several implications that cannot be ignored, especially after a long absence during which elections were delayed, disrupted, and postponed for various reasons. This is not the time to delve into those reasons. These elections have revealed a set of data that cannot be overlooked, revealing a tumultuous scene characterized by several poignant truths, of which the most important is the relationship between elections and occupation in a harsh phase. The occupation is not only still pressing down upon us but is also growing more ferocious and violent. Today, the occupation represents the primary and existential threat to the Palestinian people on their land. The question arises: what is the point of holding elections amidst the ongoing occupation and the current situation!

Another important implication within the review of the local election process is that a generation has not exercised its right to run for office and vote due to the events and conditions that have transpired in the occupied Palestinian territories, which still persist. There is much that can be said about this, and discussions can be lengthy; however, one of the most interactive points observed was the notable fluctuation in public interest, the timeline for campaigning, and the variation in participation in promotional activities, which differed significantly from one region to another. This also manifested in the voter turnout rates. A quick review of the figures according to the Central Elections Commission indicates that 237 out of 421 local bodies did not hold elections. It also points out that 40 bodies had no candidates, and 197 bodies had only one winning list (uncontested), while electoral processes took place in 184 local bodies. These are not just numbers; they also carry meanings derived from perceptions and expectations built upon them, away from the controversy accompanying Local Bodies Law No. 23 for the year 2025 and its amendments, then the withdrawal of the candidacy condition, allowing participation after removing political conditions. The importance of the electoral process within the framework of renewing local bodies is to enhance popular resilience and protect societal fabric in the face of an occupation reality that imposes its schemes, which must be confronted within possible means. There is perhaps no room for comparison between these elections and those held in 1976, which led to a sweeping victory for the lists of the national movement supported by the PLO and the failed attempts of the occupation to impose candidates who would supersede the role of the PLO today. Frankly, we need a serious examination of what the current election results have produced based on the emerging facts, as well as seeking to fill gaps, confront risks, and address them on the basis of clear foundations that safeguard the long heritage of unity work despite existing differences here and there at times.

Another matter worthy of discussion is the dominance and drift of the electorate's mood and the candidacies towards a more tribal character in the sectarian sense, explicitly at the expense of factional interests, despite attempts to cloak factions in tribalism, creating a heterogeneous mix. There is a possibility of fulfilling the requirements of joint action based on the existence of a broad popular base that forms a protective shield against any shocks that the councils may face, making it difficult for them to perform their roles within a much broader vision than simply being service-oriented; it extends to protection councils, not just revenue collection! These councils try to engage broader sectors within the local site and authority in a participatory approach based on support, enriching councils with the minimum requirements for sustainability on one hand and also working to develop mechanisms that are compatible with digitization, urban expansion, and transitioning to workspaces shaped by a technological revolution, extending to environmental issues, pollution problems, green spaces, and attention to shadow councils, youth, and grassroots institutions, all of which can create a picture to work in a manner that rises to the level of challenges amid the rule of law, enhancing transparency, integrity, and good governance. The elections are a gateway to consolidating elements of strength within the community, addressing gaps, and respecting pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box in free direct elections.

The other issue in this context that must be addressed relates to the quality, nature, and characteristics of the services provided to the public by local authorities. Here too, we inevitably find the occupation rearing its head, as what services can meet the needs of citizens? There is a notable absence, fading, or weakness of addressing in most electoral programs and campaigns for the various lists to highlight the aspect related to confronting settler assaults, confiscations, and home demolitions, which as previously mentioned represent an existential threat. Thus, the council must dedicate efforts to the situation we live in and incorporate programs to bolster resilience within a local governance plan together with other relevant ministries, and the role should not be limited to collecting electricity and water bills and installing prepaid meters—"commoditizing" services that burden the citizen amid substantial circumstances of hardship evident to all. Moreover, embracing and developing a network of relationships and creating alternatives and innovations from the youth should lead to a municipality or village council that recognizes its role and the sources of its community strength within a broader framework that accommodates experiences and reinstates issues of citizenship, belonging, and the value of volunteer work and popular participation. For instance, can we discuss today the expansion of the structural map of villages and towns and encourage young couples to establish agricultural cooperatives or income-generating enterprises, which are among the solutions to unemployment issues following the cessation of labor within the Green Line amid the financial crisis of the government with the ongoing plundering of clearance funds? There are many questions that could be raised, but the foundation is investing in collective efforts—namely human resources and creative experiences to effect the desired change by using a comprehensive vision that serves everyone.

The local elections have passed as a national democratic entitlement, and they are a cumulative process that, if well exploited, can meet the broader public's needs regarding matters pertaining to its work. They go beyond service-oriented aspects to a wider horizon that we all aspire to, and they should be linked to internal local affairs carried by an agenda defined by the priorities of the Palestinian people. The issue extends beyond aligning priorities in the terms of the reform document that many Western countries pressure to finalize—"donor countries"—under political conditions that touch upon the fundamentals of the Palestinian people under the pretext of democracy, forgetting the reality of a people under occupation that destroys everything in our lives and wishes for no good that would allow for elections to be held. We must enhance our will to challenge, even in the elections that are prevented in Jerusalem, for example, and develop mechanisms of political engagement to prove the nullity and falsity of its claims.

The indicators from these election results, albeit in their preliminary form, should not be underestimated. The voter turnout of 56% is somewhat low and reflects a broad sense of disappointment among the public. However, we must acknowledge an important point: merely proceeding with elections in these circumstances and challenges is a significant achievement, even as some doubted the possibility of them being held at all. The essence lies in the coming days, with the fundamental criterion being adherence to programs, their implementation, and providing the best services to citizens, which is crucial and the right of individuals to be prioritized.