Palestine’s impossible democracy dilemma
Ramzy Baroud
March 08, 2021 22:46
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends a meeting with Palestinian factions in Ramallah, Israeli-occupied West Bank, Sept. 3, 2020. (Reuters)
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Many Palestinian intellectuals and political analysts find themselves in the unenviable position of having to declare a stance on whether they support or reject upcoming Palestinian elections that are scheduled for May 22 and July 30. But there are no easy answers.
The long-awaited decree by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas last January to hold legislative and presidential elections in the coming months was widely welcomed, not as a triumph for democracy but as the first tangible positive outcome of dialogue between rival Palestinian factions, mainly Abbas’ Fatah party and Hamas.
Facing elections for the first time in 15 years, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is battling a growing rift within his powerful Fatah party that poses a new threat to his dominance over Palestinian politics.
Abbas battles Fatah discord ahead of Palestinian elections
Breakaway list by Arafat s nephew intensifies speculation that Abbas might cancel presidential vote set for July, fearing challenge by Marwan Barghouti, a Fatah leader serving five life sentences in Israel for terrorism
Reuters |
Published: 03.07.21 , 14:37
Facing elections for the first time in 15 years, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is battling a growing rift within his powerful Fatah party that poses a new threat to his dominance over Palestinian politics.
A breakaway bid by one of Abbas s party allies has intensified speculation he might cancel a presidential vote planned for July, fearing a potential challenge by Marwan Barghouti, a popular Fatah leader serving five life sentences in Israel for terrorist activity.
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Sunday, 7 March, 2021 - 10:30
Palestinian parliamentary elections are set for May 22 amid discord in the Fatah movement. (AFP) Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat
Fatah warned its Central Committee member Nasser al-Qudwa against fielding a separate list in the upcoming legislative elections to compete against the movement.
Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub threatened to dismiss Qudwa from his post if he went forward with the move.
The committee is expected to discuss the issue during a meeting chaired by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday.
Rajoub’s threat followed a tweet by committee member Hussein al-Sheikh, in which he affirmed that Fatah movement would submit a unified list for the polls.