First Phase of the Palestinian Local Elections

On December 11, 2021, the first phase of the 2021–22 Palestinian local elections took place in the West Bank, focusing on rural areas and smaller municipalities. Originally, these elections were meant to include both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza, refused to participate, leading to elections being held exclusively in the West Bank. A total of 154 rural localities participated, with Fatah-affiliated candidates securing a large number of seats. However, independent candidates performed strongly, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and traditional party structures. Many of these independent candidates were backed by Islamist-leaning factions and local leaders opposed to Fatah’s dominance. The elections were marked by a lack of competition in some areas, as several councils were formed uncontested. Despite this, the results highlighted a shift in voter sentiment, with independent and opposition-affiliated candidates gaining ground. This phase of the elections set the stage for the second phase, where larger municipalities, including key urban centers, would hold their elections. Although this was a local election, it carried major political implications, showing public discontent with Fatah’s leadership and a growing appetite for alternative political voices in Palestinian governance. #PalestinianElections #LocalDemocracy #WestBankVotes #ElectionResults #PoliticalChange #MomentOfLife #MoofLife