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Follow Us on TwitterPalestinians in Europe: elections without national consensus is recipe for deepening divide 25Oct09 October 26, 2009
Palestine News Network - 25 October 2009
In a statement sent by Palestinian institutions and communities in Europe to PNN, the Presidential Decree for elections was described as a “recipe for deepening the divide.”
In the absence of a national consensus, and the failure of reconciliation attempts, numerous players have come out against President Abbas’ decree to hold both presidential and legislative elections in January. The Hizb ut-Tahrir movement said today, “The declaration of elections is a continuation of political manipulation.”
The denunciation was against holding elections “in a crucial stage in the Palestinian cause, and in a state of denial of the rights of the Palestinian people and during an exacerbation of their suffering… in a situation of division and in the absence of national unity.”
The statement said that the elections were for “selfish interests.”
In part it read, “The call for elections is not a search for genuine representation of the people, but a search for results with certain specifications prepared in advance.”
The Palestinian organizations in Europe wrote that by issuing a decree before reaching a national consensus to end the division, Abbas is making a unilateral move that will only increase division.
The statement also noted that although the impression given by the word “elections” is one of unity, this move instead is one that aims to prevent any consolidation of the Palestinian people.
Signatories reiterated an earlier call for the holding of the Palestinian National Council at home and abroad that would form a leadership that represents both and is able to face challenges, noting the “lack of constants” in the current political approach.
The statement was signed:
“Institutions and Palestinian communities in Europe
“24 October 2009
“General Secretariat of the Conference of the Palestinians of Europe, the Palestinian Return Center – Britain, the European Campaign to Lift the Siege on Gaza – Brussels, the Palestinian Assembly in Germany, the Palestinian Forum of Denmark, the Palestinian Forum – Britain, the Coordinating Council in Support of Palestine – Austria, Founder of the Palestinian Right – Ireland, Rights of the Palestinian – the Netherlands, The Rights of All – Switzerland, Association of Palestinian Culture – Poland, the Union of Social and Cultural Organizations – Russia, Forum of Palestinian Rights and Solidarity – the Netherlands, the Palestinian Forum French – France, the Palestinian Crowd – the Netherlands, the Palestinian Center for Justice – Sweden, the Palestinian House Sweden, the Palestinian Assembly in Italy, the Society for Supporting Gaza in Milan – Italy, the Palestinian Friendship Association, Greek – Greece.”
Thank You.
