Palestinian factions reject appointment and exclusion in forming the National Council

Palestinian factions and forces rejected the procedures for restructuring the Palestinian National Council, considering that appointing members through electoral blocs that do not represent the people contradicts the foundations of national partnership. They called for free and democratic elections, warning against attempts to subdue the council and control its composition.

Palestinian factions and forces rejected on Wednesday the procedures for restructuring the Palestinian National Council, considering that what is happening in a number of Arab countries—appointing members through electoral blocs that do not represent the entire Palestinian people—contradicts the foundations of national partnership and democracy. The factions said in a joint political statement that these practices entrench "appointment instead of election, exclusion instead of partnership, and unilateralism instead of national consensus." They affirmed that the Palestinian National Council does not belong to any faction or authority, but represents the comprehensive national framework. They called for enabling the Palestinian people to elect their representatives according to a transparent democratic system. They urged rejection of any formation based on appointment and exclusion. The statement was signed by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front, the Democratic Reform Current in Fatah, the Popular Front-General Command, the National Initiative, and the Resistance Committees. These positions come amid ongoing Israeli aggression and settlement projects.