Armed resistance, democracy, diplomacy: Palestinians Gen Z hold the key to Palestine’s future

If realised, these elections would mark the first major test of Palestinian democracy in nearly two decades and provide a solid answer to what Palestinians want in terms of war and peace, writes Daoud Kuttab [photo credit: Getty Images]

Oct. 27, 2025 - For over a century, Palestinians have alternated between revolution and diplomacy in their struggle for independence and the end of colonial settler occupation. Both approaches, armed resistance and political negotiation, have shaped the modern Palestinian experience.

Yet amid the rubble of war, an unexpected opportunity has emerged. Growing international recognition of the State of Palestine, most recently by several Western countries, has revived hope that diplomatic momentum might yield political renewal.

To harness this moment, Abbas has pledged a series of reforms, foremost among them national elections to be held within a year of the ceasefire. If the ceasefire continues and Abbas’s commitment holds, Palestinians could head to the polls in October 2026 to elect both a president and a new Palestinian Legislative Council.

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