The Corrupt... Last Warning Before the Fall

Not every danger threatening nations comes from beyond borders; some dangers grow internally, feeding on influence and hiding behind positions, draining the energies of nations and their future in deadly silence. While occupation has robbed our people of much, corruption has been and remains one of the most dangerous burdens weighing on Palestinians, exhausting their institutions and hurting their national conscience.

The corrupt do not only steal money.

The corrupt steal opportunities from those deserving.

They steal dreams from the eyes of the youth.

They steal trust from the hearts of people.

And they steal the dignity of the institution created to serve the people, not the influential.

One of the most provocative scenes of corruption is when a public position turns into private ownership, and some become convinced that the chair is an eternal right, that the institution should not move except with their permission, should not change except with their agreement, and should not receive new leadership unless they personally choose their successor.

As if Palestine is a private property.

As if institutions are a family inheritance.

As if the people are merely spectators to what is done in their name.

No, by God...

No, by God, and a thousand no...

No, by God, and a million no...

Palestine is greater than all positions.

And greater than all chairs.

And greater than anyone who believes that their remaining in position is more important than the interests of the homeland.

Palestinians have learned from their long history that individuals come and go while Palestine remains, that positions change while institutions endure, and that living nations do not allow anyone to monopolize their future or to confiscate their right to change, renew, and hold accountable.

This people has been patient for so long.

They have been patient beyond measure.

They have remained silent at times to preserve stability.

And they have borne hardships sometimes to protect institutions.

But no one should mistake this patience.

For patience is not negligence.

And calmness is not weakness.

And respect is not fear.

The Palestinian people know well how to distinguish between those who serve the homeland and those who exploit it for their own interests.

Today, the voices demanding to confront corruption are no longer limited to the elites, the writers, or the affected; they have become a wide national movement rooted in the Palestinian street, especially in Ramallah, where the conviction grows that protecting the national project starts with protecting institutions and fortifying them against corruption.

In national and organizational circles, the belief is increasing that the next battle should be a battle of integrity, justice, and accountability, and that any public position must remain subject to the law and the will of the institution, not the will of individuals regardless of their positions.

In the organizational and national frameworks of Ramallah, there is a growing sentiment that the time for coexisting with corruption has ended, and a new phase must be based on accountability, renewal, and opening doors for national competencies capable of serving the people and protecting institutions.

The message that echoes everywhere has become clear:

No one is above the law.

No one is greater than the institution.

No one has the right to withhold a public position or obstruct the process of renewal and development.

And the message is clearer for anyone who thinks time has stopped at the moment of their arrival at their position:

The position is a mandate, not an honor.

And the location is a responsibility, not a possession.

And the chair does not grant moral or national immunity to anyone.

As for President Mahmoud Abbas, he has always emphasized that the desired Palestinian state must be based on the rule of law, respect for institutions, combating corruption, and strengthening accountability, because the strength of the political system is not measured by the number of officials, but by the institutions' ability to renew, persist, and serve citizens.

Therefore, the Palestinians who have sacrificed martyrs, prisoners, and wounded for a free and dignified homeland will not accept their institutions being turned into tools for serving private interests or protecting influence or obstructing change.

The time of silence is receding.

And the time of accountability is approaching.

And popular awareness is expanding.

And anyone who believes that people do not see, do not know, or do not follow is living outside reality.

The corrupt are under the watch of the people.

And under the watch of the honest.

And under the watch of history.

Every day that passes adds a new page to the record of accountability.

Thus, the soundest and wisest path is to respect the law, respect the principle of circulation, respect the right of institutions to renew, and respect the will of the people who no longer accept that public positions be held hostage by individuals.

Leave quietly if there is anything in your heart of responsibility.

Make way for competencies.

Restore the spirit of institutions.

And restore trust to the people.

For Palestine does not stop for anyone.

And Palestine is not summed up by one person.

And Palestine is greater than everyone.

As for those who think the chair is the homeland, they will discover late that the homeland remains... and that the chair is the first to depart.