GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree July 31 increasing the quota for Christians in local governing councils in the provinces of Ramallah and Bethlehem and in a number of villages around the two provinces. The four-article presidential decree listed nine local councils in the West Bank where the new quota allocated to Christians would exceed the quota assigned to Muslims.

Article 1 of the decree specifies that Christians shall have 5-10 seats on the affected local councils, while Muslims will have 2-7 seats. The total number of seats ranges from 9 to 15, according to the province or village. Article 2 asserts that the heads of the nine local councils — which have the largest number of Christians in the Palestinian territories — must be from the Christian community.

The decree stirred controversy among Palestinians, in particular questions about its timing, given that it followed Hamas’ announcement of its intention to take part in the local council elections. In addition, it appeared to violate electoral law concerning the appointment of the heads of local councils. Article 56(3) of law No. 10 of 2005 specifies that the head of the local council shall be elected by an absolute majority of council members, but the decree authorizes the appointment of council heads.

Hamas issued a statement Aug. 2 rejecting Abbas' decree. Yahya Moussa, a Hamas leader and chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council's Oversight Committee in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, “Abbas was surprised when Hamas announced its participation in the local council elections and issued this decree that aims to reduce Hamas’ representation in the local councils,” he said.