Follow-ups - FiMED

Dr. George Rashmawi, president of the Union of Palestinian Communities, Institutions and Activists in Europe, has warned of the political and national repercussions of postponing the Palestinian general elections, considering that this step prolongs the division, further complicates the internal crisis, and deepens the legitimacy crisis of national institutions amid the absence of democratic renewal.

In a press statement, Rashmawi said that postponing the electoral milestone grants the Palestinian division another year of fragmentation and complication, and deprives Palestinians at home and in the diaspora of their right to choose their representatives and renew leadership institutions through the ballot box.

Postponement of elections and the deepening representation crisis

Rashmawi explained that the continued postponement of elections, in his assessment, entrenches the approach of monopolizing and monopolizing political decision-making, and limits the chances of rebuilding national institutions on democratic and participatory foundations.

He added that the repercussions of the decision are not limited to prolonging the internal division, but extend to weakening the Palestinian political position and reducing the popular reference of official institutions, at a stage that requires strengthening national unity and uniting efforts to confront political and national challenges.

He stressed that renewing the legitimacy of representative institutions through elections constitutes, in his view, a fundamental entry point for restoring the confidence of the Palestinian street and enhancing the ability of the political system to express the aspirations of Palestinians at home and abroad.

A call for national dialogue and rebuilding the political system

Rashmawi called for reversing the decisions to postpone the elections, and for expediting the launch of a comprehensive national dialogue in which Palestinian forces, factions and activists participate, with the aim of agreeing on a unified national strategy to emerge from the state of division and political paralysis.

He stressed the necessity that the process of rebuilding the Palestinian political system include its various institutions, starting with the National Council and extending to the legislative and presidential elections, in a way that ensures the renewal of national representation and the consolidation of genuine partnership in decision-making.

He believed that addressing the crisis requires transcending factional calculations, and agreeing on clear political and democratic rules that allow broader participation of Palestinian forces and activists, and restore consideration to the popular will as the basis for the legitimacy of national institutions.

Demands to resort to the people

Rashmawi's statements come amid continued debate over the postponement of the Palestinian electoral milestones, and the issuance of calls by Palestinian figures and activists demanding the resumption of the democratic path and an end to the state of political stagnation.

Rashmawi stressed that resorting to the people through comprehensive elections represents, according to his position, the path toward renewing legitimacy, strengthening Palestinian unity, and rebuilding institutions on the basis of collective responsibility and national partnership.