Enhancing Cooperation Between the Public Prosecution and Local Authorities to Ensure Access to Services in the Justice System

Sada News - The Public Prosecution, in partnership with the Ministry of Local Governance, launched a workshop today, Wednesday, in Bethlehem on the role of local authorities in accessing services within the justice system. The event was attended by His Excellency Attorney General Akram Al-Khatib, His Excellency Minister of Local Governance Dr. Sami Hijawi, Governor of Hebron Mr. Khaled Dudin, Deputy Governor of Bethlehem Brigadier Dawood Al-Hamri, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem Dr. Abdullah Siyam, and the participation of heads of local authorities in the provinces of Jerusalem, Hebron, and Bethlehem, along with several heads of the Public Prosecution, supported and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

The workshop aims to activate cooperation mechanisms between the Public Prosecution and local authorities to enhance citizens' access to justice services and to establish the principle of integration between law enforcement institutions and community participation within the framework of the Public Prosecution's vision to build a more inclusive justice system that guarantees citizens' rights and supports the rule of law.

During the opening of the workshop, Attorney General Akram Al-Khatib emphasized that the Public Prosecution is not distant from the reality of citizens, but is present on the ground, addressing their daily issues and understanding the burdens they bear, affirming that addressing these issues is a legal and national duty that cannot be compromised, carried out according to procedures that ensure justice, transparency, and the protection of rights.

Al-Khatib added that what the Palestinian community faces today is not limited to traditional crimes but includes foreign phenomena that attempt to impose their dominance and extort citizens under misleading slogans, asserting that these deviations have no place in Palestine, and that confronting them can only be achieved through a genuine partnership between state institutions, local authorities, and society, with the firmness of the law and the justice of the state, so that the safety and dignity of people remain above all considerations.

He pointed out that the agenda of the workshop focuses on building a solid national partnership, especially in light of the rising crimes of the occupation and settlers, clarifying the importance of the role of local authorities in documenting violations and enhancing legal awareness and community prevention, with special attention to protecting the most vulnerable groups, especially children. He concluded by affirming that this workshop represents a foundational station for a new approach to partnership that proves to citizens that justice is close to them, and that the law protects their lives, rights, and resources.

For his part, His Excellency Minister of Local Governance Dr. Sami Hijawi confirmed that today's meeting in Bethlehem is not just a protocol occasion, but a station to enhance cooperation between the Ministry of Local Governance, the Public Prosecution, and local authorities, to protect citizens' rights and confront the challenges of occupation. He pointed out that local authorities are the first line of defense for citizens, and that this partnership will enhance the collection and documentation of crimes, protect children, and manage the affairs of cities and towns according to modern legal and professional foundations, affirming that this step represents a continuous path to build an integrated system that achieves justice and enhances the resilience of citizens.

In turn, Governor of Hebron Mr. Khaled Dudin emphasized the importance of this meeting, especially with local authorities and the Public Prosecution, due to its pivotal role in developing the justice system in Palestine and enhancing citizens' trust in their national institutions, stressing that establishing a partnership between state institutions and local authorities is a fundamental lever to enhance citizens' resilience and ensure better and more just services for various segments of society.

For his part, Deputy Governor of Bethlehem Brigadier Dawood Al-Hamri affirmed the governorate's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing the role of local authorities and developing basic services, pointing out that collaborative work represents a fundamental pillar in achieving sustainable community development. He added that the governorate prioritizes serving citizens and enhancing their resilience, and that the partnership with local authorities reflects a spirit of national responsibility and commitment to future generations. For his part, Deputy Governor of Jerusalem Dr. Abdullah Siyam emphasized the importance of this workshop and its role in enhancing cooperation between local authorities and government institutions, contributing to improving performance and serving citizens and enhancing their resilience. Siyam also pointed out that this workshop represents an important step in the path of enhancing justice and developing services within the justice system, which enhances their trust in national institutions, and stressed the pivotal role played by the Public Prosecution in protecting people's rights and preserving their dignity, through the application of the law and pursuing violators of public and private rights, which reinforces the principles of justice and enhances partnership with various state institutions to serve citizens and meet their needs.

The workshop witnessed a series of interventions and discussions that addressed the most prominent public issues in the provinces of Jerusalem, Hebron, and Bethlehem. The heads of municipalities and local councils focused on the challenges facing local authorities in the areas of infrastructure, waste management, water and electricity, in addition to assaults on public property. Participants emphasized the urgent need to enhance cooperation and partnership with state institutions, especially the Public Prosecution, to provide a fair and effective litigation environment that guarantees the protection of public and private rights and supports the ability of local authorities to fulfill their duties towards citizens. It is worth noting that the workshop will continue for two days, during which working papers will be presented by the heads of specialized prosecutions, focusing on several important axes, the most prominent of which are the prospects for cooperation between local authorities and the Public Prosecution in collecting, investigating, and documenting crimes of occupation and settler terrorism, in addition to discussing the law on the election of Palestinian local authority councils, and the subject of local authority prosecution and litigation mechanisms. The workshop will also focus on joint services to protect children and discuss comprehensive and sustainable strategies to enhance their protection and preserve their rights, along with enhancing joint awareness between the juvenile protection prosecution and local authorities. The Public Prosecution will also direct its efforts towards local authorities in the geographical areas most susceptible to violations of occupation and settler terrorism.