Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Shahin said Israel's upcoming election will not bring peace unless the government fundamentally changes its West Bank policy.
This assessment comes as the region faces continued instability and the possibility that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may retain power. The Palestinian leadership argues that a change in personnel is insufficient if the underlying strategic approach to the West Bank remains the same.
Speaking from Ramallah, Shahin said that lasting peace is impossible without a major shift in how Israel manages the West Bank [2]. He said that the upcoming vote could result in Netanyahu remaining in power, which he suggests would maintain the current status quo [1].
Shahin also said Netanyahu of intentionally delaying a deal regarding Gaza until after the election [1]. He said this postponement undermines the peace process and prolongs the crisis for civilians in the enclave [2].
The Israeli election is scheduled for October 2026 [3]. This puts the vote roughly two months away from mid-August [1].
While the Palestinian government focuses on policy shifts, other concerns have emerged regarding the electoral process itself. Reports indicate that 70 percent of Jewish Israelis fear risks to the integrity of the upcoming election [3].
Shahin said the focus for Palestinians remains on the tangible outcomes of the vote rather than the identity of the leader. He said that the international community should press for a policy transition that ensures stability in the West Bank, and a resolution in Gaza before the October deadline [1, 2].
“Peace in the West Bank will require a major shift in Israeli policy.”
The tension between leadership changes and policy shifts highlights a deep diplomatic divide. While elections often offer a perceived path to renewal, the Palestinian administration is signaling that only a systemic reversal of West Bank policies will be accepted as progress. This suggests that regardless of the October election outcome, friction will persist if the new or returning government maintains existing settlement or security frameworks.
