A Discussion Session on Future Role of Palestinian Political System Hosted at PTUK


Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie hosted a seminar to open discussion on “the future role of the Palestinian political system to enhance internal unity”. A discussion session was organized by Yabous for Consulting and Strategic Studies – Ramallah with the participation of the Yabous Researcher Mr. Suleiman Bsharat, the Legislative Council Member Dr. Siham Thabet, the Central Committee Member of Palestinian People’s Party Mr. Suheil Al-Salman and the Head of Media Technology at PTUK Dr. Mohammad Ishtwei along with a group of PTUK academic staff and Tulkarem institutions’ representatives. Mr. Bsharat opened the discussion session explaining the purpose behind choosing Tulkarem District as an event hosting place is to avoid the centralization of holding such events in just one place in the nation, adding that every Palestinian city should have the right to express opinion and attitude towards participating in the future of the Palestinian decision-making policy. For her part, Dr. Siham Thabet initiated the discussion of the need for the separation of the three powers, the independence of the judiciary enhancement and the absolute rule of law through the activation of an efficient legislative council that pass the laws and could improve the lives of the Palestinian people; a legislation that has been disabled due to years of political divisions among the Palestinians. She explored the Palestinian Legislative Council’s attempts to surpass the obstacles that face the Palestinian political system, calling for renewing the Palestinian political legitimacy and putting an end to the political division. Dr. Siham reviewed the latest cases that have occurred in the Palestinian scene including the “the deal of the Century” and the detainees’ money support prevention by Israel, stressing on the necessity to agree on one clear attitude that guarantee the adherence of the Palestinian constants and values and to reject such violations. Mr. Al-Salman reviewed the stages that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) underwent and its conditions of development compared to its current role in the Palestinian Diaspora, the national identity and the formation of bodies and institutions to create a political space. He stressed the importance of fostering the role of the institutions to end the Palestinian division; a new political system based on human rights and promotion of freedoms that enhance the steadfastness of citizens and provide a clear political strategy. He explained that the diversity and multiplicity of references in the National Authority that was arisen after Oslo Accord led to political imbalance and backlash, consequently, giving the chance to the Israeli occupation to control and practice Judaization and illegal settlements construction. Mr. Al-Salman said that the solution lies in finding a new way of thinking to make up a new Palestinian political system by surpassing the Oslo Accord and finding new political alternatives and cooperation especially with Gaza Strip considering it a constitutional part in the State of Palestine. Dr. Ishtwei stated that the imbalance lies in the differences of the applied regulations, laws and legislations between Gaza and the West Bank, in addition to the continuous control of the Israeli occupation over the Palestinian resources. He also pointed out that the repeated failure in the national reconciliation is due to the based decision-making policy of the parties and due to the “serious default” by the institutions of the civil community, adding that the solution may lie in creating an independent decision that guarantee clear and honest initiative to lift the sanction imposed on Gaza as a good faith to start new fresh initiatives.