Abbas Dismantles Palestinian Democracy

Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza have long been denied basic freedoms and self-determination, but not in the way you might think. Their own president, Mahmoud Abbas, has systematically dismantled democratic institutions and turned the Palestinian Authority (PA) into a an authoritarian dictatorship. Abbas is currently in the 15th year of what was supposed to be a four-year term. His refusal to leave office has made a mockery of the election system and voting rights. While American citizens debate the merits of absentee ballots signatures, early voting hours, and photo ID requirements in places like Georgia and Texas, the Palestinian people have not been allowed inside a voting booth since Denny Hastert was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Abbas’s rumored decision this week to cancel upcoming elections is just the latest in a long series of antidemocratic power grabs…