The decision means that residents can vote on who will lead the Palestinian territories for the first time in 20 years. As early as this fall, they will be able to choose who will be part of the PLO's highest decision-making body, the PNC, reports the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Mahmud Abbas, 90, has served as president of the Palestinian territories since 2006. His party Fatah lost control of Gaza in a conflict with Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist organization.
According to Palestinian human rights activist Mahmud al-Afranji, international pressure, among other things, has pushed the decision forward. However, the lack of guarantees in occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza constitutes "an obstacle to holding parliamentary elections."
