The Palestinian Basic Law

Possibility of fresh talks in November

tonje — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:14:10 +0000

According to the Pan-Arab newspaper Asharaq al-Awsat, Egypt seeks to resume inter-Palestinian dialogue in December to reconcile Fatah and Hamas. Hamas pulled out from the previous round that was scheduled for November 9.

Read: Xinhua, “Report: Egypt seeks to resume inter-Palestinian dialogue next month,” 30 November 2008, http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6543164.html.

Fatah leads in poll

tonje — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:11:03 +0000

According to a poll conducted by An-Najah University in Nablus, Fatah would take 31.4 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections against 14.4 percent for Hamas. The poll was published three days after Abbas’ stated that be might call snap parliamentary and presidential elections if Hamas does not rejoin reconciliation talks facilitated by Egypt.

Read: AFP, “Fatah would win Palestinian elections: opinion poll,” 26 November 2008, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081126/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpalestinianpolitics_081126122426

Fist fight in university

tonje — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:31:38 +0000

A student brawl at the university in Khan Younis over mutual accusations of repression by Fatah and Hamas is symptimating of the deeper clash between the two parties. If dialogue on reconciling the two side has not started by Dec 31 there are fears of more serious factional violence in January when Abbas plans to call an election for April, according to Reuters.

Read: Alertnet, “Hamas, Fatah women fist fight as disputes inflame,” 26 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LQ716721.htm

- Abbas plans elections in April

tonje — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:50:34 +0000

President Mahmoud Abbas plans to call for presidential and parliamentary elections in January, according to senor aide Yasser Abed Rabbo. The elections are scheduled for April.

Read: Alertnet, “Abbas wants Palestinian elections in April,” 25 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LP225082.htm.

Considers elections in West Bank alone

tonje — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:26:52 +0000

If Hamas prevents the ballot from taking place in Gaza, President Mahmoud Abbas might hold presidential and parliamentary elections in the West Bank alone. Abbas has stated his intentions to hold elections in early 2009 if national conciliation talks are unsuccessful.

Read: Alertnet, “Abbas adviser moots elections in West Bank alone,” 24 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LO32640.htm

Abbas may call for Palestinian elections

tonje — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:13:06 +0000

If Fatah and Hamas do not reconcile by the end of the year, President Mahmoud Abbas has stated that he will call for elections in 2009. «If the dialogue does not begin, and if we fail, I will issue a presidential decree early next year calling for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections,” Abbas told members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,» according to Alertnet.

Read: The Independent, “We talk or go to polls, Abbas tells Hamas,” 24 November 2008, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/we-talk-or-go-to-polls-abbas-tells-hamas-1032216.html.

Read: Alertnet, “Abbas says may call for Palestinian elections,” 23 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LN465569.htm.

Read: Alertnet, “Abbas raises Palestinian election, Hamas say No,” 23 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LN485444.htm.

Read: AFP, “Abbas to call snap elections if Hamas talks fail,” 23 November 2008, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081123/wl_afp/mideastpalestinianpolitics_081123202854.

Read: AP, “Abbas to Hamas: Unity or early elections,” 23 November 2008, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081123/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_palestinians_politics_2.

Read: BBC, “Abbas threatens early elections,” 23 November 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7744624.stm.

Israeli defense paper recommends blocking PA elections

tonje — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:42:20 +0000

An Israeli defense establishment paper to be presented to the cabinet next month warns that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may «disappear» from the political arena after his presidential term expires on 9 January. Due to this posibility and the fear that Hamas might win a new election, the paper recommends “preventing elections in the PA, even at the cost of a confrontation with the U.S. and the international community,” according to the Israeli newspaper HaAretz.

Read: HaAretz, “Defense establishment paper: Golan for Syria peace, plan for Iran strike,” 23 November 2008, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1039929.html.

Prospects for unity «darker than ever»

tonje — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:39:42 +0000

While Hamas has taken the rap for boycotting the reconciliation talks scheduled for 9 November in Cairo, some say the move was justified.

Read: AFP, “Prospects of Palestinian reconciliation ‘darker than ever’,” 20 November 2008, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=97839.

CEC receives 750 000 Euro

tonje — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:31:50 +0000

The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) has received a grant of over €750,000 from the European Union. The money will be used to fund teacher training, voter registration and bolstering operational capacity.

Read: Wafa, “EU Provides 750,000 to CEC,” 17 November 2008, http://english.wafa.ps/?action=detail&id=12324

- Talks postponed, not cancelled

tonje — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:24:51 +0000

Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the de facto cabinet in Gaza, states that the reconciliation talks in Cairo has not been cancelled, only postponed. According to Haniyeh, the talks will be resumed when “pending issues” are resolved.

Read: Maan News, “Haniyeh: Talks with Fatah postponed, not cancelled,” 17 November 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33303.

Read: Xinhua, “Hamas: Egyptian-hosted dialogue not failed,” 18 November 2008, http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6536321.html.

Diminishing opportunities

tonje — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:25:16 +0000

The refusal of several political factions to participate in national reconciliation talks in Cairo makes the hope of a successful national dialogue seem even more distant. The talks fail amid charges of political arrests and attempts to impose a fait accompli on those supposedly in dialogue, writes Saleh Al-Naami in Al-Ahram.

Read: Al Ahram, “Lack of trust,” 13-19 November 2008, http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/922/fr2.htm.

Abbas reopens referendum issue

tonje — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:38:47 +0000

On a day of mourning for former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, President Mahmoud Abbas calls for a referendum to decide whether an early parliamentary and presidential poll should be held.

Read: Alertnet, “Abbas urges vote to heal rift with Hamas,” 11 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LB632750.htm.

Read: Xinhua, “Abbas calls on Hamas to go for early elections,” 12 November 2008,
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6531970.html.

Read: Middle East Times, “Arafat the Unified Divides Palestinians in Death,” 11 November 2008, http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/11/11/arafat_the_unifier_divides_palestinians_in_death/2189/.

Will not budge over presidential term

tonje — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:21:29 +0000

Hamas leader and former Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahhar reiterates that Hamas will not recognize an extension of President Mahmoud Abbas tenure after his current term ends on 9 January 2009.

Read: Maan News, “Hamas reiterates refusal to recognize Abbas after 9 January,” 11 November 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33162.

Possibility of new unity talks in two weeks

tonje — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:56:09 +0000

According to a Fatah official, Egypt could host Palestinian reconciliation talks in two weeks, after a failed attempt to bring Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction to the table 9 November.

Read: Alertnet, “Egypt could host unity talks in two weeks-Fatah,” 9 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L9691292.htm.

Fayyad: No political prisoners in WB

tonje — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:27:00 +0000

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the caretaker cabinet in the West Bank claims that there are no political prisoners in WB, and that Hamas’ refusal to participate in conciliation talks are not justified.

Read: Maan News, “Fayyad: No political detainees in West Bank and no justification for delaying dialogue,” 8 November 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33108

Hamas declines coalition talks

tonje — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:16:48 +0000

Hamas officials have declared that they will not be attending the conciliation talks, scheduled to begin on 9 November.

Read: Maan News, “Egypt postpones Cairo talks at Hamas’ request,” 8 november 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33101.

Read: Alertnet, “Egypt delays Palestinian unity talks after new feud,” 8 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L891261.htm.

Read: AFP, “Palestinian unity talks called off after Hamas boycott,” 8 November 2008, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081108/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpoliticspalestinianegypt_081108174012.

Read: Associated Press, “Hamas boycotts Palestinian reconciliation talks,” 8 November 2008, http://www.thestate.com/world/story/583043.html?RSS=general_news.

Read: BBC, “Hamas boycotts Palestinian talks,” 8 November 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7717333.stm.

Hamas’ fears

tonje — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:57:26 +0000

On the eve of the upcoming reconciliation sessions in Cairo, Hamas leaders fear that Abbas may rally the Palestinian factions and the Arabs against them, writes Jihad el-Khazen.

Read: Middle East Online, “The Intra-Palestinian rift,” 8 November 2008, http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=28693.

Prisoners issue could derail conciliation talks

tonje — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:19:36 +0000

A Hamas spokesman states that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s assertion on Friday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is not holding political prisoners could derail the Egyptian sponsored unity talks.

Read: Maan News, “De facto government slams Abbas’ political prisoners denial,” 7 November 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33092.

Conciliation talks to begin

tonje — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:40:38 +0000

Hamas and Fatah are scheduled to meet in Cairo on Sunday for the first time in more than a year in an Egyptian-led effort to agree a unified government and end their divisions.

Read: The Guardian, “Fatah and Hamas in unity government talks,” 7 November 2008, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/07/israel-palestine-egypt

Hamas detains Fatah activists

tonje — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:41:13 +0000

According to Fatah sources, Hamas has detained dozens of Fatah activists in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to sabotage Egyptian efforts to reconcile the rival factions.

Read: Alertnet, “Hamas arrests dozens of Fatah activists — Fatah,” 6 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L6277678.htm.

Hamas hesitant about Cairo meeting

tonje — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:25:21 +0000

Hamas is unlikely to take part in an Egyptian-sponsored Palestinian reconciliation conference scheduled for 9 November. The reason is reportedly that Egypt had refused to put more Hamas proposals on the agenda. Hamas furthermore demands the release of 400 detained Hamas activists.

Read: Alertnet, “Hamas says unlikely to attend Cairo unity meeting,” 6 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/OWE675972.htm.

Brown: Institutional decay remains obstacle to peace

tonje — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:28:25 +0000

Deep divisions and institutional decay on the Palestinian side remain the most daunting obstacles to peace, Nathan J. Brown concludes in a web commentary. Ongoing Palestinian unity talks brokered by Egypt have little chance of success without a significant international push.

Read: Nathan J. Brown, “Can Cairo Reassemble Palestine?”, Carnegie Endowment, web commentary, 4 November 2008, http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cairo_palestine.pdf

- Palestinians could be left alone for years

tonje — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:54:15 +0000

According to an Arab diplomat involved in the Cairo process, the Arab League, enlisted by main mediator Egypt to try to heal the Fatah-Hamas rift, could lose interest if no deal was reached next week. “If Cairo’s efforts fail because Palestinian factions did not want to end their divisions, the Palestinians could be left alone for years,” the diplomat says.

Read: Alertnet, “Palestinian unity talks at crossroad - diplomat,” 3 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L3711255.htm

EU legislators invites Hamas PLC members to Brussels

tonje — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:44:46 +0000

In what appears to be a symbolic gesture, a European parliamentary delegation has invited all elected Palestinian lawmakers to visit the European parliament next spring. The invitation was presented by Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, head of the European delegation, during talks with Ahmed Bahar, acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and a Hamas member.

Read: Alertnet, “EU legislators invite Hamas lawmakers to Brussels,” 3 November 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L3406783.htm.

Fatah leads in new poll

tonje — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:49:13 +0000

A new opinion poll conducted by the research firm Alpha international shows that 73.3 percent of Palestinians living in the occupied territories support the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and the election of a new parliament in 2009. If elections were held today on the basis of proportional representation, 48 percent would vote for Fatah, and 12.3 percent for Hamas. 16 percent would not vote. The poll surveyed 1222 Palestinians above the age of 18, including 35.3 percent in the Gaza Strip and 64.7 percent in the West Bank.

Read: Maan News, “Poll: 73.3% support PLC dissolution; Fatah would win parliamentary elections,” 2 November 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32971

Political prisoners released in Gaza

tonje — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:33:28 +0000

De facto prime minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza has pledged to release all political prisoners and called on the caretaker cabinet in the West Bank to reciprocate the gesture. Seventeen prisoners were released on Thursday.

Read: Maan News, “De facto government in Gaza releases political prisoners; Fatah downplays Hamas gesture,” 30 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32893.

- Arrests could harm talks

tonje — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:39:32 +0000

President Mahmoud Abbas’s security forces has arrested 170 Hamas members in the West Bank in the past four weeks. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said the detentions could “poison the atmosphere and block the way” towards reconciliation with Abbas’s Fatah faction.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Hamas says W. Bank arrests could harm unity talks,” 28 October 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LS283042.htm.

Read: Palestinian Center for Human Rights, ”PCHR Condemns Campaign of Arrests against Hamas Supporters in the West Bank,” Press Release, Ref: 94/2008, 29 October 2008, http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/98-2008.html,

Hamas calls for election decree

tonje — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:13:04 +0000

Hamas has called on President Mahmoud Abbas to issue a decree to the Central Elections Committee to prepare for presidential elections. Hamas argues that Abbas’ term expires on 9 January 2009.

Read: Xinhua, “Hamas calls on Abbas to decree preparations for presidential elections,” 27 October 2008, http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6522278.html.

Potential power vacuum after 9 January

tonje — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:18:08 +0000

Israel needs to prepare for a situation in which President Mahmoud Abbas cannot negotiate by January 2009 because of the eroding legitimacy after his tenure expires, states Israeli analyst. Fatah officials argue that presidential elections should be delayed until the end of the term of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in 2010.

Read: Washington Times, “Leadership vacuum feared after Abbas,” 25 October 2008, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/25/leadership-vacuum-feared-after-abbas/

- Breakdown may provide openings

tonje — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:35:10 +0000

The presidential term of Mahmoud Abbas will soon expire, but a new election seems unlikely, states Jamal Juma in an OpEd in The Guardian. Juma argues that a breakdown may provide an important opening for new popular forces to rise within Palestinian national politics.

Read: Guardian, “Jamal Juma: What next for the Palestinians?” 24 October 2008, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/24/israelandthepalestinians-middleeast

- Hope in the Egyptian proposal

tonje — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:23:02 +0000

Saleh Al-Naami provides an analysis of the Egyptian proposal. The proposed project calls for the creation of a national reconciliation government with specified tasks which includes preparing for new legislative and presidential elections. The document specifies that presidential and legislative elections should be held simultaneously at a date agreed between the factions and in accordance with a revised electoral law.

Read: Al-Ahram, “A Glimmer of Hope,” 23-29 October, http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/919/fr1.htm

Fatah will not meet Hamas bilaterally

tonje — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:02:28 +0000

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction has rejected a request by Hamas rivals to meet separately, without the presence of the other 11 Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) factions, ahead of multi-factional reconciliation talks in Cairo in November. Hamas has warned that it will not recognize Mahmoud Abbas as president beyond 9 January 2009.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Fatah rejects Hamas request for bilateral talks,” 14 October 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LE488139.htm.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Palestinian Fatah group mulls talks with Hamas,” 11 October 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LB549897.htm.

-Hamas’ gamble endangers PLO

tonje — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:35:31 +0000

If Hamas is waiting for 9 January to ambush its rival, this will be a disaster,” states I’smat Abed Al-Khaleq in an op-ed in Maan News. Al-Khaleq argues that this would mean the elimination of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Hamas has warned that it will not recognize Mahmoud Abbas as president beyond his term, which expires in January.

Read: Maan, “Hamas’ gamble - who is the loser? - By I’smat Abed Al-Khaleq ,” 9 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32430.

Hamas open to extension of presidential term

tonje — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:27:24 +0000

Hamas has indicated willingness to allow a technocratic government to take power, providing that all sides agree on the name of each minister. They may also agree to an extension of President Mahmoud Abbas’ term if Fatah allows the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) to convene and approve the decision. Several Hamas lawmakers are jailed, and Fatah has argued that Hamas may not use surrogates to represent the imprisoned legislators.

Read: Maan, “Hamas may allow concessions on Abbas, makeup of unity government at Cairo talks,” 9 Oktober 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32417.

-Abbas will stay on

tonje — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:19:45 +0000

The speaker of the Fatah bloc of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Azzam Al-Ahmad, argues that according to the Basic Law, the president’s post can be vacant only in one of three cases; if he dies, if the Higher Court and two thirds of the PLC decide that he is unqualified, or if he resigns. Hamas lawmakers have warned they will not recognize Mahmoud Abbas as president beyond the end of his term on 9 January.

Read: Maan, Azzam Al-Ahmad: Unity agreement first, talks second, 7 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32383

Unity talks launched in Cairo

tonje — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:55:32 +0000

A Hamas delegation has arrived in Egypt to participate in talks to restore Palestinian unity and resolve the dispute over the term of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. According to Palestinian law, presidential elections must be held every four years. That means that Abbas’s term officially ends in January 2009. However, the law also states that presidential and parliamentary elections must be held at the same time, which they say extends his term to January 2010. Hamas has stated that they will no longer recognize Abbas as president after January 2009.

Read: Maan News, ”Hamas leaders arrive in Cairo for unity talks on Tuesday night,” 7 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32385.

Read: Maan News, “Azzam Al-Ahmad: Unity agreement first, talks second,” 7 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32383.

Read: Maan News, “Khreishah: Hamas kidnapped PLC name, illegal elections the ransom,” 7 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32368.

Read: Reuters, “Hamas takes its turn at reconciliation talks, 7 October 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L7514657.htm

Read: AFP, “Hamas delegation in Egypt for Unity Talks,” 7 October 2008, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081007/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpalestinianpoliticsegypt_081007170807.

Read: AFP, “Palestinian PM calls for ‘non-factional’ unity government,” 7 October 2008, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081007/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpalestinianpoliticsegyptbelgium_081007150201.

Read: AP, “Hamas lawmakers say Abbas must call elections,” 7 October 2008, http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_10657961?source=rss.

Hamas: Extension of term “unconstitutional”

tonje — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:17:18 +0000

Hamas-affiliated legal officials reassert that it is “unconstitutional” for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to extend his term for “even one more day” beyond 8 January 2009. The head of the legal committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Faraj Al-Ghoul presented a report to a session of the PLC held by Hamas lawmakers in Gaza on Monday. The report concludes that when Abbas’ terms expires, the position of president will become vacant, and PLC Speaker Aziz Ad-Dweik will be acting president for a period of sixty days, until Presidential elections can be held. While Abbas’ Fatah party claims that new presidential elections can only be held simultaneously with new legislative elections. Consequently, the president can extend his term until January 2010, when parliamentary elections are called for.

Read: Maan News, “Hamas: Extending Abbas’ term ‘even one more day’ is unconstitutional,” 6 October 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32363.

DFLP: Hamas must focus on unity

tonje — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:01:27 +0000

DFLP member Nihad Abu Gosh warns Hamas to focus on contingency plans rather than on ensuring the success of reconciliation talks. Hamas has stated that after 9 January, four years after the election of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, they will no longer recognize him as the leader of Palestinians. According to Hamas, Ahmad Bahar, Speaker for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), would then become acting President after 9 January until new elections are held.

Read: Maan News, “DFLP: Hamas must focus on unity talks not failure contingency plans,” 29 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32252.

Hamas delegation agrees to formation of reconciliation government for Gaza

tonje — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:27:50 +0000

This week, a Hamas delegation is meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo this week in initial preparations for comprehensive unity negotiations in October. According to Maan News, Hamas is willing to set up a government which will include technocrat figures and members from several factions. Hamas would relinquish the premiership, but has negotiated a handful of ministry posts that would remain under Hamas control. Hamas demands that the new government follow the Mecca agreements. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, prefers to follow a program set out by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

Read: Maan News, “Hamas delegation in Egypt agrees to formation of reconciliation government for Gaza,” 28 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32236.

Abbas will be “former Palestinian President”

tonje — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:13:28 +0000

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum states that Mahmoud Abbas will be referred to as «former Palestinian President» when his term according to Hamas’ view expires on 9 January 2009. Furthermore, Barhoum slams the central council of the Palestine liberation Organization (PLO), which is reportedly planning a session to to extend the term of President Abbas for another year in addition to appointing a vice president.

Read: Maan News, “Hamas: after 9 January we will refer to Abbas as ‘former Palestinian President’,” 26 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32188

Abbas: Deal could avert constitutional crisis

tonje — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:36:21 +0000

Palestinian President Mabmoud Abbas stated in an interview with Al-Hayat that a deal between Fatah and Hamas could avert a constitutional crisis when his term ends next January and allow for general elections in the first half of 2009.

Read: Gulf Times, “Arab states preparing reconciliation between Hamas, Fatah,” 26 September 2008,
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=243936&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17.

Read: Reuters, “Arabs to press for Palestinian reconciliation - Abbas,” 25 September 2008, http://asia.news.yahoo.com/080925/3/3pknc.html.

What title for Mahmoud Abbas?

tonje — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:06:32 +0000

According to Maan News, Hamas is “currently studying a number of descriptions” for the president should he not step down after 9 January 2009. De facto Interior Minister Sa’id Siyam will reportedly consider Abbas “secretary general of Fatah or former president”.

Read: Maan News, “Hamas: After 9 January, Abbas is ’secretary general of Fatah’,” 24 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32148.

PCHR condemns raid on PLC members’ office

tonje — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:00:45 +0000

On Monday 22 September, members of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service (GIS) raided the office of Samira al-Halaiqa (45), a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) for the Hamas Change and Reform Bloc, in Hebron. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) in Gaza condemns the raid. PCHR point out that the Palestinian Basic Law grants immunity to PLC members and prohibits attacks on PLC members throughout their term in office.

Read: PCHR, “General Intelligence Service raids Hebron Office of PLC Member Samira al-Halaiqa,” Press Release, Ref: 85/2008, 23 September 2008, http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/88-2008.html

Poll: Majority favors dissolving the PLC

tonje — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:18:37 +0000

In a poll conducted by the An Najah National University Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies, 61,1 % of the respondents supported dissolving the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). 29,6 % rejected the idea.

Respondents were, however, not in favor of holding elections at the (unspecified) end of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ term. Only 20,1 % supported elections, whereas 77,5 % rejected the idea.

Were elections to be held, voter turnout would still be relatively high with 76,9 % stating that they would participate in a presidential election, and 78,1 % said they would participate in legislative elections.

The poll was conducted between 18-20 September.

Read: Maan News, “Poll shows 36% of Palestinians support Fatah, 30.8% “none of the above,” 22 Septemebr 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32118

Cooperation with French Ministry of Justice

tonje — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:34:19 +0000

Palestinian Minister of Justice, Ali Al-Khashan, has signed an agreement with his French counterpart in Ramallah. The agreement provides for extensive training and cooperation between French and Palestinian judges and law makers, including exchanges to observe legal systems in action, and literature on the process of establishing a constitutional court.

Read: Maan News, “Palestinian and French ministers of justice sign cooperation agreement,” 20 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=32068.

Arab capitals ponder Palestinian electoral issue

tonje — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:18:59 +0000

Except Hamas and Jihad, all the Palestinian factions that have visited Cairo in relation with the recent meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo have recommended the formation of a technocratic government, which constitutes a means of removing Hamas from power in Gaza. Saleh Al-Naami in Al-Ahram Weekly presents the debate. Hamas expects the Arab League to follow Fatah’s position that if an agreement is not reached on holding early elections, legislative and presidential elections will have to be held at the same time, implying an automatic extension of President Mahmoud Abbas’s term until January 2010.

Read: Al-Ahram, “Criminalizing Hamas,” 18 September 2008, http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/915/re51.htm

Abbas: Law to determine elections

tonje — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:50:02 +0000

In a respons to remarks by Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal that the movement will not recognize Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian president after 9 January, Abbas has stated that he will resort to the Palestinian Basic Law to determine the presidential elections.

Read: “Xinhua, Abbas: Palestinian basic law to determine presidential elections,” 15 September 2008, http://english.sina.com/world/2008/0915/186365.html.

- President has constitutional right to determine elections

tonje — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:54:56 +0000

In a meeting with the Arab League in Cairo, Palestinian ambassador to Egypt, Nabeel Amer, argued that the president has the constitutional right to decide when to hold the legislative and presidential elections. Amer further staetd that Abbas’ office would be prepared to use «constitutional exits prepared by law men; there are political exits like the elections we are with going to the elections».

Read: Maan, Palestine’s ambassador to Egypt speaks about Palestinian politics, 14 September 2008,
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31937.

Abbas aims to stay in power until 2010

tonje — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:47:03 +0000

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas intends to stay in office until 2010. Fatah says Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections should be held together in 2010. Hamas says Abbas’s term ends on 9 January 2010.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Abbas aims to stay in office to 2010 despite Hamas,”14 september 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LE462964.htm.

Read: Maan News, “Abbas: my term lasts through 2010; Mash’al: no legal president until January 2009 elections,” 14 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31926.

Read: Maan News, “Fatah: ‘9 January 2009 will be a normal working day for President Abbas’” http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31932.

New ICG report: Round two in Gaza

tonje — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:07:48 +0000

A new report from the International Crisis Groups contains updated information of the activities of the PLC and status of recent regislation in relation to the Palestinian Basic Law.

Download report here: http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/middle_east___north_africa/arab_israeli_conflict/b24_round_two_in_gaza.pdf (downloading full text reports from ICG requires registration, but this is free of charge.)

Erekat denies Abbas’ plans to dissolve PLC

tonje — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:42:27 +0000

Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) denies reports that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to disband the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

Read: Maan News, “Erekat denies that Abbas plans to disband the Palestinian Legislative Council,” 9 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31826

Hamas appoints new PLC members

tonje — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:38:38 +0000

Hamas-affiliated members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) convened for the third time in 2008 this Monday. According to Maan News, twenty seven members of the council were in Gaza and another 11 joined by conference call from the West Bank.

Thirty two members were appointed to represent lawmakers who are currently in jail in Israel.

Read: Maan News, “Hamas lawmakers convene the paralyzed Palestinian Legislative Council,” 8 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31816

New court opened in Jericho

tonje — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:49:00 +0000

Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister for the Palestinian caretaker cabinet in Ramallah, has opened the new building for the Jericho preliminary court. During the opening ceremony, Fayyad emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary.

Read: Maan News, “Opening new court in Jericho, Fayyad affirms importance of independent judiciary,” 5 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31737.

Al Haq warns against military courts

tonje — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:48:33 +0000

The human rights organization Al Haq calls on the Palestinian Ministries of Justice and of the Interior, and the Attorney General to end the use of military courts in trials of civilians.

On 28 August 2008, the Palestinian High Court of Justice affirmed that Military Attorney General and Military Judiciary have no jurisdiction over civilians. Only two days later, a civilian detained by the Palestinian Military Intelligence agency was brought before a military court in Salfit.

Al Haq states that this undermines those provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law protecting human rights and freedoms, especially of individuals deprived of their liberty.

Read: “Al-Haq: PA Military Courts might lead to ‘authoritarian regime’,” 3 September 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31705

Read: Al Haq, “Al-Haq calls upon the President of the Palestinian National Authority and the Higher Judiciary Council to restore exclusive civil jurisdiction over civilians,” REF.: 28.2008E, 3 September 2008, http://www.alhaq.org/etemplate.php?id=390

Majority believes presidental term expires in 2009

tonje — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:29:48 +0000

A new poll from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) indicates that almost two-thirds of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe that Abbas’s term in office expires in January 2009, rather than January 2010.

Read: PSR, Press release, Palestinian public opinion poll no 29, http://www.pcpsr.org/survey/polls/2008/p29epressrelease.html.

In June, the Department of Fatwa and Legislation affiliated with the Palestinian Authority (PA) said in a statement that the term of president Abbas (elected in 2005) should continue until the end of the legitimate term of the second Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC whose term is four years) elected 25 January 2006.

The purpose is to make presidential and PLC elections coincide. There is currently a debate on whether or not this extension is legitimate. Hamas has stated that they will not deal with Mahmoud Abbas as president after January 2009.

Legal opinions on this debate:
Download: When is the next elections? Q&A by IFES (pdf)
Download: Legal Opinion by Fatwa & Legislation Office regarding the presidential term of Mahmoud Abbas (pdf)
Download: Factsheet on Palestinian presidential elections by Nathan J. Brown (pdf)

Fayyad repeats call for transitional government

tonje — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:34:29 +0000

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad calls for a “transitional coalition government made up of independent and qualified figures” in order to restore national unity. The transitional government would be charged with managing the country in preparation for general legislative and presidential elections. The statement came during the swearing in ceremony of thirty new assistants to the Attorney General in Ramallah.

Read: Maan News, “Fayyad: transitional government must be formed to oversee elections,” 30 August 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31622.

Legal overhaul lacking transparency

tonje — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:54:57 +0000

President Mahmoud Abbas and his government are pursuing a five-year legislative plan that could transform the Palestinian political and economic systems from top to bottom. Some constitutional experts and legislators argues that Abbas’s approach to legislating by decree lacks transparency and is part of an erosion of democratic institutions.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “EXCLUSIVE-Palestinian laws get overhaul with little oversight,” 29 August 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC917554.htm

Download survey of presidential decrees: http://www.palestinianbasiclaw.org/executive-decisions-and-legislation-under-palestinian-emergency-government

Decree to form national committee on prisoners

tonje — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:27:28 +0000

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree to form a national committee tasked with resolving the issue of political prisoners held by the de facto cabinet in Gaza and the caretaker cabinet in Ramallah respectively.

Read: Maan News, “PFLP: Abbas to form national committee on PA, Hamas prisoners,” 25 August 2008,
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31526.

PLC opens in Ramallah

tonje — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:55:45 +0000

As the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) opened in Ramallah, Palestinian prisoners and popular resistance campaignes topped the agenda. Other topics were Prisoners’ cantine bills, family allowances, and education.

Read: Maan News, “Prisoners’ cantine bills, family allowances, education top PLC agenda,” 21 August 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31432.

Factions seek revival of the PLC

tonje — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:04:00 +0000

In Gaza, representatives of five Palestinian factions has agreed that a “comprehensive national dialogue,” should be begun in order to end the Palestinian internal political split. The parties agree in principle on forming a government of national unity that works towards uniting institutions of Palestinian Authority, holding new legislative and presidential elections on the basis of complete partial representation, and the restructuring of the Palestinian Security forces along professional lines.
The groups also agreed on the need to reactivate the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and the PLO.

Read: Maan News, “Five factions including Fatah agree on unity talks,” 19 August 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=31385.