RAMALLAH, January 14, 2018 (WAFA) – The 28th session of the Palestinian Central Council will take place on Sunday evening under the title of "Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the State of Palestine", with the participation of all factions expect for Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
The emergency session, which would span over the course of two days, was called for by President Mahmoud Abbas to reaffirm the unified national position and study options following US President Trump recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer his country‘s embassy.
The highly anticipated session is seen as extremely important due to the issues it will discuss, including the past phase and future action.
President of the National Council, Salim Al-Zanoun is expected to deliver the opening speech followed by Mohammad Baraka, head of the High Follow-Up Committee, and then by President Mahmoud Abbas.
All factions were invited to participate in the session, but Hamas and Islamic Jihad officially said they will not attend the meeting.
Several PLO officials criticized the Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s decision not to participate in the meeting.
In an interview with Voice of Palestine radio, PLO Executive Committee member Mahmoud Ismail said “Hamas seeks to replace the PLO and “liquidate” the Palestinian cause, especially after its rejection to participate in the upcoming Central Council meeting.
Ismail rejected Hamas’ excuses not to participate in the meeting, saying it’s unreasonable to assume a position in advance. He called on all factions to condemn the two factions’ move because they abandoned their national role.
Zuheira Kamal, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Democratic Union, said that the participation of all factions in the meeting is an important and necessary issue to lay foundations for the next political phase, and constitutes a real beginning to end the division.
She expressed regret over Hamas’ refusal to participate in the meeting.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has also expressed regret over Hamas’ and Jihad’s decision, said Kayed al-Goul, member of the faction’s Political Bureau.
Khalid Mesmar, head of the political committee of the National Council, said Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s decision not to participate in the meeting is denounced by Palestinians and speaks of abandoning the battle of Jerusalem.
Mesmar said Hamas took its time to make a decision before the meeting, while Palestinians were waiting for tough decisions to be reached in response to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem, and Israel’s practices against Palestinians, their land and holy places.
According to sources, Hamas and Islamic Jihad refused to participate in the meeting because it will be held in territory occupied by Israel and because factions were excluded from the preparations of the meeting, which has no clear agenda.
The Council will discuss strategies and steps how to change from a state under the rule of the National Authority to a state under occupation, reshape the committee in charge of Jerusalem, determine the nature of the relationship with Israel and the US and demand to withdraw recognition of Israel.
K.T./M.H.
