Will tribalism dominate upcoming Palestinian elections?
As electoral lists form in the runup to the local Palestinian elections, various political factions worry that tribal and family loyalties will trump political affiliations.
![PALESTINIANS-VOTE/ A Palestinian man check voting pamphlets in the office of the Central Elections Commission in the West Bank town of El Bireh August 17, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTX2LI45](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2016/08/RTX2LI45.jpg/RTX2LI45.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=zc2Cfj06)
The countdown to the Palestinian local elections has begun. The atmosphere is tense, with remarkable participation by tribes and families in addition to the usual political forces.
Palestinian tribes started mobilizing immediately after the announcement of the electoral process and the major families started to prepare their candidates.