Factions and Popular Committees in Tulkarem Camp Demand Their Members Not to Participate or Run in the Upcoming Municipal Elections

SadaNews - The national factions and popular committees in the Tulkarem camps stated, "To our patient and steadfast people in Tulkarem and Nur Shams, in light of the continuous and ongoing aggression and the practice of forced displacement of the camps' residents, converting them into military barracks, and imposing a status quo in Tulkarem Governorate." The factions added in a statement today, "As we approach the elections for councils and municipalities, we call upon our organizational and national members not to participate in nominations or voting, in order to preserve the national identity of the refugee cause and the particular reality of the camps, holding onto the legal and political umbrella of the UNRWA, and refusing the policy of integration into the municipal realities and the dilution and erasure of the camp's identity, which stands as a living witness to the crimes of the occupation since the Nakba." They further emphasized, "We affirm that the public interest of the cause and identity of the camp should prevail over narrow and personal interests. At the same time, we support the exercise of democratic rights to develop and build councils and municipalities that provide diverse services to enhance the resilience of citizens, preserve the societal and national fabric, and improve the reality in the afflicted Tulkarem, which is hindered by occupation obstacles affecting all aspects of life for the Tulkarem people." They continued, "It is unreasonable to conduct elections in the midst of aggression that targets people and land, and we call upon the official level to postpone the elections until the occupation leaves the Tulkarem camps and normal life returns, achieving social justice and a decent living for the residents of Tulkarem Governorate."