Rival factions clash as Abbas advances reforms while Hamas accuses Authority of surrender.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim has sharply criticized Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas over efforts to advance a “temporary constitution of the State of Palestine,” exposing deep divisions within Palestinian leadership.
Abbas, who also holds the title of “President of the State of Palestine,” authorized a legal panel last year to draft the framework. The proposed document is designed to facilitate a transition from the Palestinian National Authority toward a more formalized state structure. It aligns with the 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence and references international law, UN resolutions, and prior agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Naim accused Abbas of attempting to preserve the Palestinian Authority under the banner of reform while undermining what Hamas calls the “authentic rights” of the Palestinian people. He alleged the draft was prepared under foreign supervision and argued that constitutional processes under occupation lack legitimacy.
Abbas has declared 2026 the “year of democracy,” signaling plans for elections to the Palestinian National Council, municipal councils, and an upcoming Fatah conference. He instructed that the draft constitution be reviewed by the PLO Executive Committee before public release for comment and amendments.
The initiative unfolds amid increasing international pressure on the Palestinian Authority to implement structural and governance reforms, particularly in discussions surrounding post-conflict arrangements in Gaza.
