Union for Change

There is no doubt that the possibility of holding legislative elections is now closer than ever, not out of absolute faith, especially after what happened in 2021 when they were postponed/canceled before the election campaign began (one should remember what doesn't come back on the words of the great artist Fairouz). This is after publishing an amendment to the general elections law and under international pressures represented by political conditions recorded in the documents recognizing the State of Palestine and the commitments of the Palestinian Authority to these countries and the international community, from which there is no escape regardless of the reform called for by participation.

In my opinion, the issue of participation in these elections requires a broad coalition of social and political forces; those who aspire to a position in the Legislative Council, those calling for reform from civil society organizations, those wishing to bring about change in the authoritative structures of governance, those dreaming of a better political system in terms of political conduct, and those striving for social justice, as well as those aspiring to apply the principles of fairness for the marginalized or disenfranchised groups, and those angered by political, social, and regional exclusion, all for the purpose of bringing about change.

This coalition is the only one capable of confronting the major political forces that have dominated the political system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It is capable of amplifying the voice of the majority of Palestinians who are tired of division, political failure, weak justice, and policies that do not respond to people's needs—such as the incursions that the Palestinian people pay the price for, like the Incursion of the Calves and others.

This coalition is capable of preventing unilateral decisions regarding the political future of the Palestinian people without planning and without public participation; neither the Oslo path has benefited nor the October 7 approach has worked. The Palestinian people have paid heavy prices for this unilateralism in their lives, rights, lands, perseverance, and capabilities.

This coalition, despite the differences among its components, aims to return to the people and their unity both within the homeland and in the diaspora, and to activate the collective mind of Palestinians to contribute to building an approach that meets citizens' needs in employment, health, education, and safety, and to improve these areas. There is a need for genuine and fundamental reform of the political and administrative structures of the Palestinian political system, combating corruption by pursuing corrupt individuals and recovering the looted Palestinian people's funds, halting the misuse of public funds, strengthening the internal cohesion of the Palestinian people, and instilling hope in the youth and future generations that they have room to participate in shaping the future and the tomorrow, and to commit to establishing a state of institutions, the rule of law, social justice, and respecting the State of Palestine's commitments to international legitimacy decisions and the pacts and treaties it has signed, including the fair application of the two-state solution, to generalize stability, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region, and to ensure safety and peace for all people of this region.

Initiating the process toward public elections requires gathering forces that believe in the goals of change, and in the Palestinian people's capacity to create their leadership, and building a broad coalition that can touch on citizens' concerns and is capable of bringing about the desired change. It also has the ability to remove the restrictions imposed on participating in determining the fate of the Palestinian people, especially the political/exclusionary constraints; as it violates the amended Palestinian Basic Law of 2003 and its amendments, and creates a vertical division among the members of the same people by shifting from authoritative division to popular division—unnecessary after twenty years of existing political division between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Furthermore, this coalition, with its social and political components and its popular extensions, guarantees the integrity of the elections and prevents any manipulation if some wish to sabotage them or deny the Palestinian people their right to achieve their will.

It is time for the coalition for change; with the aim of determining the Palestinian people's fate through a free choice of their representatives and leadership in political institutions. This is a trust on the shoulders of the emerging social forces—both angry and aspiring or believing in the importance of change. It is a responsibility that must be shouldered, to maintain the cohesion of the Palestinian people, regain control of their affairs, and grant them hope for the future.