Samer Sinijlawi blames PA for election delay, calls Barghouti 'asset to peace'

Palestinian politician Samer Sinijlawi accused senior Palestinian Authority officials of engineering the postponement of legislative elections and described imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti as a potential asset for peace in an interview with i24NEWS on Wednesday.

Speaking On the Record with Ariel Oseran, Sinijlawi, head of the new Palestinian political party Masar Jadid (New Path), argued that the decision to postpone elections from November 2026 to September 2027 was driven by internal political interests rather than Israeli restrictions.

He accused PA Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh and smaller Palestinian factions of seeking to preserve their political positions by avoiding elections.

"These powers would prefer the status quo. They are in power. They hold some titles, and they don't want to go to the election test because they will fail," Sinijlawi said.

He also dismissed claims that Israeli restrictions were responsible for the postponement, arguing that "Israel is just an excuse."

Sinijlawi claimed that 62% of eligible Palestinian voters had never participated in an election, highlighting growing frustration with the political system.

Turning to the Palestinian presidential succession, he criticized Israel's decision not to release Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for his role in the murders of Israelis.

"I think it was a mistake from Israel not to release Marwan," Sinijlawi said, describing Barghouti as "an asset for political horizons, for a peace achievement."

"I think the Israeli public opinion should not see him as a potential threat, should see him as a potential opportunity," he added.

However, Sinijlawi stopped short of endorsing Barghouti for president, arguing that the race should remain open to new candidates, including younger Palestinians and women.