Palestinian draft constitution elevates Sharia, omits Jewish ties to Jerusalem

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas published a draft constitution for a future Palestinian state, establishing Islam as the official religion with Sharia as the primary source of legislation and designating Jerusalem as the capital and religious center while omitting any direct reference to Judaism. The draft reaffirms the PLO as the sole legitimate representative, guarantees the right of return for refugees, and includes provisions to care for families of martyrs, prisoners, and exiles (the pay-for-slay policy). It sets a civil-overseen security framework, bans non-government militias, imposes two five-year presidential terms with nationality/age restrictions, and envisions a Palestinian Monetary Authority. Public comment is invited for 60 days; Macron had offered to help, and Hamas criticized the draft as a rights violation.