Palestinians on both sides seethe over postponed elections
Palestinians are disappointed by the postponement of the local elections, and with the political divide as deep as ever, the wide disillusionment and frustration plaguing both the West Bank and Gaza is giving way to apathy.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Frustration and discontent prevailed among Palestinians on Sept. 8, after the High Court of Justice in Ramallah postponed the local elections indefinitely.
The court's decision followed a number of appeals presented by several lawyers, challenging the legitimacy of elections that would not include East Jerusalem and the lack of appropriate conditions for holding them. The appeals also challenged the legitimacy of the Gaza courts and judiciary tasked with evaluating them.
Mohammed al-Najjar, who sells vegetables in the popular Khan Yunis market west of Gaza City, told Al-Monitor he was angry at the postponement. “We were hoping the local elections would lead to legislative and presidential elections … that would improve our bad economic situation. My family and I registered to vote, but the elections were unfortunately postponed.”
Najjar raised his voice for everyone in the market to hear when he added, “We want to tell Palestinian officials in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ‘Stop undermining our suffering. If you cannot find a solution for our economic crisis and our psychological suffering, then you should all leave.’”
