The Palestinian people will not accept being led by any party after the war that does not emerge from Palestinian elections, or perhaps in the first stage, a unity government that includes those opposed to Mr. Abbas within the Fatah movement, nonpartisan national figures and any nonmilitarized Islamist political party that might emerge, replacing Hamas in its current form.
But first, Mr. Abbas must go. There are an easy way and a hard way for that to happen. The easy way would be for Mr. Abbas and his opposition in Fatah to reach a friendly understanding, in which he peacefully hands power over to a new administration that assumes responsibility for Gaza and the West Bank. He could in return be granted lifetime immunity from prosecution, along with his family and his direct aides.
If Mr. Abbas rejects that notion, a more complicated, but not impossible, arrangement could be made. A new political body could be formed in Gaza in which all Palestinian political forces participate, charged with appointing temporary leaders and a government to lead the way in the reconstruction of Gaza and its political reunification with the West Bank. For this to work, the Arab countries, the international community, the donor countries and Israel would have to recognize this governing body.
Either scenario must lead to general national elections that should be held within two years — or as soon as life becomes more normal in Gaza. The elected government must adopt a strategy that presents construction as an alternative to corruption in the West Bank and destruction in Gaza. It must establish the foundations of democracy, transparency, accountability and a system of separation of the executive, legislative and judicial authorities. It must bring together all Palestinians, allow them to engage in political life, respect their rights, safeguard their freedoms, begin social and economic development and, most important, find a way to join hands with Israel in bringing down the curtain on one of the most complex and controversial conflicts of the modern era.
Such a change in the Palestinian political order would, naturally, have to be paralleled by changes in the Israeli leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen by many Israelis as responsible for failing to safeguard Israelis against the atrocities of Oct. 7; it seems highly unlikely he will be able to continue leading Israel at the end of the war. Changes in both Palestinian and Israeli leadership would open the door for renewed negotiations that might bring this long and bitter conflict to an end.
President Abbas must leave the political scene and be allowed to live his remaining days in dignity. Palestinians deserve a more representative, accountable and younger leadership, through free elections. We deserve a new leader.
Samer Sinijlawi is a political activist and a Palestinian political commentator from East Jerusalem. He is chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund.
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