Forum of Heads of Local Authorities in Palestine: What is happening in Gaza is a genocide that must be stopped and the leaders of the occupation held accountable

SadaNews - The Palestinian local authorities confirmed in their final statement at the Forum of Heads of Local Authorities in Palestine... Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Union of Local Authorities, that "based on its national role and legitimate representative status, it has never just been merely service entities, but has been and will remain one of the pillars of the national project, and an integral part of its political and social framework. It stands at the forefront of efforts to counter attempts to undermine it, and at the core of those who protect its constants on the ground, representing a legitimate institutional presence and a direct connection with the people."

It continued: "The function of local authorities extends beyond providing services; it encompasses protecting the unity of the homeland, preserving identity, and confronting anything that would dismantle or compromise the Palestinian national project and the building of its independent state with Jerusalem as its capital under Palestinian legitimacy."

It added: "In light of the escalation of Israeli aggression against our people, from ongoing genocide in Gaza to systematic displacement and settlement in the West Bank, the outlines of a broader attempt are emerging that not only targets the land but seeks to dismantle the internal structure of the Palestinian political and social system, by promoting alternative entities outside the national framework as a desperate attempt to reproduce liquidation projects that bypass the inclusive representative framework of our people. In this context, the Palestinian Union of Local Authorities warns about the danger of what the occupation has been promoting recently regarding what is called the 'Emirate of Hebron' or the liquidation of the camps and the refugee issue, or displacement or annexation, and any other liquidation projects, affirming that these proposals are rejected on both a national and popular level."

The authorities stressed in their statement that "the powers of local authorities are a pillar that cannot be undermined or weakened. The union emphasizes that amending the legal framework governing the work of local authorities has become an urgent necessity that cannot be postponed, requiring a participatory approach to develop the laws and regulations related to it, foremost among them: the Local Authorities Law, the Public Procurement Law, and other laws and regulations within a defined time frame."

It concluded: "In light of this explicit affirmation of the necessity to protect the legal powers of local authorities and to develop the legislative system regulating their work and ensuring their independence, the union decided to form a group of specialized committees stemming from the Executive Committee as a practical step to implement this direction and translate it into organized institutional action, through reviewing existing legislation and practices, defending the powers of local authorities, and organizing the relationship with the central government based on balance, integration, and reform. These committees have been tasked with following up on priority files for local authorities, including: the financial relationship with the government, telecommunications companies committee, energy legislation committee, water facilities committee, electricity service committee, and crises management committee. Based on the above, the union affirms that the move towards decentralization represents a strategic option that must be embraced and implemented to establish the status of Palestinian local governance as a central actor in the national equation. The union emphasizes the importance of developing a clear national framework for implementing decentralization, based on a specified timetable, founded on secure legal and administrative principles and providing resources for that, enhancing local decision-making independence, and enabling councils to manage their affairs effectively, responsibly, and transparently under a sound local governance system, thereby improving the level and quality of services provided to citizens, reflecting the scale of the roles placed upon them amid accumulated crises."