Senior official Hussam Badran says movement views November vote as opportunity to reshape Palestinian politics after two decades
GAZA CITY: Hamas plans to participate in upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections through a broad national coalition, senior political bureau member Hussam Badran said, signalling a possible return to electoral politics two decades after the group’s 2006 victory.
Speaking to Hamas-operated Al-Aqsa TV, Badran said the movement would take part in the November 28 elections, although he criticised political conditions imposed on participating electoral lists.
The vote will elect the Palestinian Legislative Council for the first time since January 2006, when Hamas secured 74 seats against Fatah’s 45.
Coalition Strategy Could Provide Hamas Political Route
However, uncertainty remains over how Hamas will participate. Electoral rules require lists to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of Palestinians and commit to its political programme.
Analyst Kobi Michael of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies suggested Hamas could participate through a newly established political party or coalition, potentially allowing it to satisfy electoral requirements without formally abandoning its longstanding positions.
Meanwhile, Badran described the election as a “historic opportunity” to change Palestinian politics and end what he characterised as two decades of unilateral decision-making.
He nevertheless argued that Palestinian factions broadly oppose conditions requiring candidates to adopt particular political positions.
Jerusalem and West Bank Remain Central Issues
Furthermore, Badran said Hamas would continue prioritising Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian prisoners. He described Al-Aqsa as central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and accused Israel of attempting to alter longstanding arrangements at the compound.
Badran also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of seeking greater control over the West Bank.
Analysts said Hamas may increasingly emphasise political participation as it adapts to changing regional and Palestinian circumstances.
However, they cautioned that greater involvement in institutional politics would not necessarily indicate an ideological transformation.
The November election could therefore test whether Hamas can reconcile its existing political positions with conditions governing participation in the Palestinian electoral system.
