Palestinian Politics 101

Palestinian politics is a complex and constantly evolving landscape which mirrors the overlapping realities of the Palestinian struggle. The landscape of political parties and figures has always been changing, as it has had to endure and adapt to occupation, apartheid, siege, and exile.

Here are some key Palestinian actors you should know about:

Governmental Structures

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Created in 1964 as a government-in-exile
Umbrella organization comprised of a diverse range of political parties and organizations
Internationally recognized as the “sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” represents the State of Palestine at the UN
Once popular for using armed struggle to try to liberate all of historic Palestine, now supports two-state solution
Ended armed struggle to enter into the Oslo Accords with Israel, attaining minor autonomy and international recognition, but failed to achieve any of its goals
Today is weak, fragmented, monopolized by Fatah, and overshadowed by the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Palestinian National Authority (PA)

Formed in 1994 by the Oslo Accords
Meant to be a 5-year transitional body until permanent agreements, which never happened
Limited autonomy over certain administrative affairs in Areas A & B of the West Bank
Legislative, judicial, and executive branches with different political parties participating, but dominated by Fatah
Not a sovereign government, derives legitimacy and capabilities from Israel
Increasingly seen as undemocratic, authoritarian, and an enforcer of the Israeli occupation
Squashes Palestinian resistance as part of “security coordination” with Israel

Political Parties

Fatah

Formed in 1959 in Kuwait by Yasser Arafat
A secular nationalist political party that has dominated Palestinian politics due to its call for direct action and its broad-tent nonideological stance
Took charge as the largest PLO faction and Yasser Arafat, Fatah’s leader, became Chairman of the PLO.
In 1988, it declared its support for a two-state solution and officially denounced violence due to its failure to establish an effective guerrilla campaign
Has nearly always dominated and led the PA
Currently headed by Mahmoud Abbas. Many Palestinians perceive Fatah to be highly corrupt, incompetent, and out of touch

Hamas

Established in 1987, Hamas is an Islamist national liberation party that engages in armed resistance
Emerged during the First Intifada due to the PLO’s decreasing popularity and increasing complacency
Won legislative elections in 2006. Immediately after, Israel and the US sanctioned it, pressured Fatah not to work with it, and attempted a coup.
In 2007, Hamas split from the PA, creating two separate quasi-governments: the PA in parts of the West Bank, and Hamas in Gaza.
Announced in its 2017 Charter that it would accept a two-state solution, surrendering full liberation.
Administers the Gaza Strip and is Fatah’s main rival

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

Created in 1967 by George Habash
Marxist-Leninist revolutionary group that aims to liberate all of historic Palestine using armed struggle.
Grew to be one of the biggest factions and enjoyed popularity due to its Marxist affinity.
Was the main opposition to Fatah within the PLO, but left the PLO in protest of the Oslo Accords.
Decline since the 1980s, due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of Islamist parties like Hamas.
Rejoined the PLO and is still active, but boycotts the PNC and PLO Executive Committee.

Freedom List

An electoral list created by Marwan Barghouti and Nasser Kidwa to run for the now-cancelled 2021 PLC elections.
Internal rival within Fatah, protests the party’s weakness and corruption
Marwan Barghouti is a prominent Fatah figure, viewed as the strongest rival to Abbas, but is currently serving a life sentence in Israeli prison.
Barghouti’s party was projected to do well in the cancelled elections, with 28% of Palestinians saying they would vote for the Freedom List, compared to 22% for Abbas-led list

Palestinian Political Parties in Knesset

Joint List

Formed in 2015, a political alliance of the four main Palestinian political parties in the Israeli Knesset:
- Ta’al (Palestinian nationalist group),
- Hadash (Arab-Jewish communist group),
- Balad (Palestinian nationalist group),
- Arab Democratic Party (Center-left)

In the 2019 Israeli elections, it split into two competing lists: Balad-Ra’am and Hadash-Ta’al, but it reunited for the next elections
Currently headed by Ayman Odeh, a member of Hadash
Currently has 6 opposition seats in Knesset.

Ra’am (United Arab List)

A conservative Palestinian Islamist party in the Knesset headed by Mansour Abbas, also known as Ra’am.
Ex-member of the Joint List, in 2021 due to ideological and political disagreements.
In the 2021 elections, Abbas and his party joined the Lapid-led coalition and became the first Palestinian party in an Israeli government.
Ra’am secured more resources for Palestinian citizens of Israel and recognition for several unrecognized Bedouin villages.
Many feel that despite minor changes, Ra’am is actively partaking in the Israeli government’s oppression.

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