Story perspectives

Trump Demands PA Reforms Before Post-War Gaza Role Palestinian Congress Records 94% Turnout, Abbas Wins

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said the Palestinian Authority must undergo reforms before it can play a role in post-war Gaza.
The congress recorded 2,507 voters (94.64 percent turnout), elected Yasser Abbas to the committee, gave Marwan Barghouti the highest vote count, re-elected Jibril Rajoub as secretary-general and Hussein Al-Sheikh as vice-president, and drew criticism from Ali Jarbawi for lacking a new political, economic or cultural vision for West Bank and Gaza.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said the Palestinian Authority must undergo reforms before it can play a role in post-war Gaza.
The congress recorded 2,507 voters (94.64 percent turnout), elected Yasser Abbas to the committee, gave Marwan Barghouti the highest vote count, re-elected Jibril Rajoub as secretary-general and Hussein Al-Sheikh as vice-president, and drew criticism from Ali Jarbawi for lacking a new political, economic or cultural vision for West Bank and Gaza.