Not Based on Consensus.. (Opal) Rejects Palestinian National Council Elections in Latin America

The Palestinian Union in Latin America (Opal) announced its rejection of the ongoing electoral process in Latin American countries to elect the Palestinian National Council, considering it is not based on comprehensive national consensus and does not ensure genuine representation of the diaspora. The union criticized the follow-up committee's visit to Brazil for being limited to only two cities, and accused it of domination, exclusion, and confiscating national decision-making. Opal affirmed it is not participating in any dialogue with the Palestinian Authority regarding the elections.

The Palestinian Union in Latin America (Opal) announced its categorical rejection of the ongoing electoral process in Latin American countries to elect the Palestinian National Council. In an official statement, the union considered that these elections are not based on comprehensive Palestinian national consensus, and do not ensure genuine and comprehensive representation of the Palestinian diaspora in the continent. Opal accused the follow-up committee for Palestinian elections in the diaspora, including the committee that visited Brazil, of following an approach based on "domination, monopolization, and exclusion" and confiscating national decision-making and monopolizing representation of the Palestinian people. The union strongly criticized the committee's visit to Brazil being limited to only the cities of Porto Alegre and Brasília, considering that this does not reflect the reality of the distribution of Palestinian diaspora communities across the country and does not ensure their participation. Opal pointed out that this process is taking place amid the rejection of eight Palestinian factions to hold elections before reaching a comprehensive national consensus and rebuilding PLO institutions on democratic foundations. The union affirmed that it has not participated in any form in any dialogue or understandings with the Palestinian Authority or its representatives regarding the elections. It stressed its rejection of the entire process, considering it is not based on comprehensive Palestinian participation and does not provide clear mechanisms for the diaspora to review and participate. It also raised questions about the mechanisms for forming electoral colleges and their ability to express the voices of Palestinians in Latin America.