Namoura: Fatah is Committed to National Consensus Regarding the Fate of Elections

Hebron - Afaq News - Dr. Maher Namoura, a member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah Movement and the spokesperson for the movement, confirmed that Fatah is heading to the upcoming Palestinian dialogue in Cairo without preconditions and without a veto on any Palestinian party, emphasizing that the movement is continuing to prepare for elections, but it will be committed to what the Palestinian forces and factions agree upon, whether to proceed with the elections or postpone them if the national interest requires that.

Namoura stated that the main goal of the political movement and the upcoming meetings is not limited to the elections file, but rather aims to reach a unified Palestinian position, end the state of division, and open the door for broader national partnership in decision-making, in light of what he described as the significant challenges facing the Palestinian cause.

Namoura's statements came during an interview with journalist Adel Gharib as part of the program "Talat Sabah," which is broadcast on Ma'an TV, the Ma'an radio network, and Radio Al-Rabia.

Namoura clarified that Fatah has requested from the Egyptian leadership to host a comprehensive Palestinian dialogue, stemming from its keenness to approach the upcoming entitlements through national consensus and wide participation that includes various forces and factions, whether affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization or existing outside it.

He pointed out that a delegation from the Central Committee of Fatah, headed by Jibril Rajoub, will participate in the upcoming meetings in Cairo, with the aim of conducting an open discussion on all Palestinian issues and reaching a unified position regarding the upcoming phase.

Namoura said that Fatah wants the dialogue to be "genuine, candid, and with open hearts," away from preconditions, and that all parties should bear their responsibilities in light of the circumstances facing the Palestinian arena.

Elections are ongoing.. but consensus may change the course.

Regarding Fatah's position on the elections, Namoura emphasized that the movement is continuing its preparations to go to the polls, considering elections a right for every Palestinian citizen, whether affiliated with a party or independent.

However, he clarified at the same time that Fatah's position is not separate from the national dialogue, stating that the movement will be part of any comprehensive Palestinian consensus that may result from the Cairo meeting.

He confirmed that if the attending forces and factions see a national necessity to postpone the elections, Fatah will adhere to this consensus, just as it will commit to proceeding with the elections if the general national direction is towards holding them.

He said: "We in Fatah are working diligently towards the election day, but if there is a consensus among the factions and forces to postpone, we will be part of this national agreement."

He emphasized that Fatah, for its part, is not going to Cairo with a pre-determined decision to request a postponement of the elections, but rather is heading towards an open dialogue that includes elections alongside other political and national files.

He added that any decision must take into account the overall existing circumstances, including the possibility of Palestinian participation in Jerusalem, the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and any conditions that may affect the ability to organize the electoral process and citizens' participation in it.

Namoura: Elections are not the only file on the table.

In response to a question about whether the Cairo dialogue could turn into an alternative to elections or a formula for sharing representation among political forces, Namoura confirmed that the goal is not to bypass the ballot boxes.

He explained that the consensus that Fatah seeks should ultimately lead to a clear collective position regarding the elections, determining their mechanisms and timing, rather than canceling the elections as a means of selecting representatives of the Palestinian people.

He stated that the elections would be part of a broader discussion addressing the 'overall Palestinian issue', including ending the division, organizing the internal house, and unifying the political vision in the face of current challenges.

He emphasized that what is required from all forces, including Fatah, Hamas, and the other factions, is to place the general Palestinian interest above party and organizational interests, and to work on ending the division and moving towards a common national vision.

Adel Gharib: For twenty years, we have been hearing the same phrases.

During the dialogue, media figure Adel Gharib raised direct questions about the effectiveness of the repeated Palestinian dialogue rounds, pointing out that the Palestinian street has heard for many years talk about national unity and ending the division without reaching decisive results.

Gharib stated that the issue is not about 'pessimism or frustration', but rather reflects a reality that requires a greater degree of honesty, questioning what is specifically required from Fatah, Hamas, and the other factions to achieve different results this time.

In response, Namoura acknowledged that previous rounds of dialogue did not achieve the desired results, but expressed hope that the upcoming dialogue would lead to practical outcomes, emphasizing that Fatah wants a dialogue without preconditions, where contentious issues are discussed openly and directly.

He stated that the current phase requires the factions to make 'responsible decisions' and reach a unified position, in light of the political and field challenges facing the Palestinian arena.

'There is no veto on anyone'

In one of the key points of the dialogue, Namoura denied the existence of any 'veto' on the participation of any Palestinian party in the upcoming meetings and dialogue.

This came in response to a question about the participation of various Palestinian factions and blocs, including the Democratic Reform Movement within Fatah, as well as Hamas and other forces and factions, along with independents.

Namoura said: "There is no veto on anyone," pointing out that the door for dialogue is open to various forces, as well as to influential independent figures, and that the Democratic Reform Movement will also be present in these meetings.

He added that Fatah has received, according to him, messages from Palestinian forces and factions confirming their interest in the success of the dialogue, and he noted the existence of a mutual desire to sit at one table and discuss Palestinian issues directly.

Towards a unified Palestinian position

Namoura confirmed that Fatah wants to expand the base of participation in Palestinian decision-making, considering that internal unity of position has become more urgent in the current phase.

He emphasized that national partnership does not mean bypassing institutions or elections, but rather reaching an agreement on the political and electoral path in which various forces can participate.

At the end of the interview, Namoura reiterated that the consensus sought by Fatah is not a consensus to cancel the elections, but rather a consensus on a clear collective position regarding them, whether to hold them according to agreed mechanisms and timing, or to make a collective decision to amend their date in case there are reasons and national consensus on that.

He confirmed that the movement will adhere to the unified Palestinian position that emerges from the dialogue, expressing hope that Egyptian efforts will contribute to bringing together various parties and ending the internal rift.

While betting on the success of a new round of dialogue and previous unsuccessful experiences in ending the division, the results of the upcoming Cairo meetings remain the practical test of whether the Palestinian forces will be able this time to move from the rhetoric of unity and consensus to clear understandings regarding elections and the future of the Palestinian political system.