PFLP legislator: “No legislative, presidential elections without ending internal divisions”

Khalida Jarrar, Palestinian legislator of the Abu Ali Mustafa Bloc which belongs to the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said that it is unlikely that there will be legislative and presidential elections in Palestine as long as the ongoing internal divisions and unrest continue. 

Khalida Jarrar

Jarrar told the Al Ayyam Daily newspaper that the divisions and political maneuvers that are aimed at dragging the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) into this internal unrest did not only stop its legislative role but also paralyzed it, its sessions and its activities.

She also said that Hamas formed alternative committees in Gaza and added that these committees are illegal and unconstitutional.

The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Fateh, the two biggest factions in Palestine, is now at its worst level in spite of talks in Cairo and attempts to resolve it. “Both parties have standards that they are sticking to, and are unwilling to make any compromise”, she added, “and now, the Palestinians are living in poverty, unemployment and are their personal and public freedoms are being violated in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip”.

Regarding the role of independent legislators, and PLC members of other factions, Jarrar said that West Bank legislators united their efforts into parliamentarian groups that are trying to activate PLC committees, and that these committees are not attempting to replace the main PLC committees.

“When some legislators resorted to the idea of parliamentarian groups, they wanted to unite the single efforts of West Bank legislators in order to empower their role, and to be able to be active for the benefit of the social, economical and health sectors.” Jarrar said.

The legislators formed six committees that are acting to maintain the economical sector, education, social, Health, civil freedoms and rights, a committee to counter the Wall and settlements, a committee for Jerusalem and Refugees Affairs, and a committee in charge of legal and legislative issues”.

These committees, she added are not formed to replace the PLC and will not be used to increase the divisions.

She also said that all independent legislators and legislators who represent different factions agree that the current situation is leading towards “a regime which violates personal and public freedoms”, and stated that “elections are the only solution to end these violations that are being carried out under the name of the Palestinian Authority and its law enforcement agencies”.

Jarrar further said that if the Palestinian factions do not achieve unity and remain unable to end their internal conflicts, the new date of the legislative and presidential elections would be due but the elections will not be conducted especially since holding elections needs Israeli, regional and international approval.