Ramallah: The Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a press conference in its Ramallah offices. The conference was led by PNI General Secretary, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, who contrasted the threat posed to the existence of an independent, viable state by Israel’s Apartheid Wall, with upcoming elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), which represent a form of non-violent resistance to Israel’s ongoing occupation.
Elections
Dr. Barghouthi announced the PNI’s intention to run in upcoming elections, which will be free and democratic, for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) as part of a coalition consisting of members of the PNI, independents, and other political and social movements. He declined to give further details on the make-up of the list prior to official registration on 3 December.
Dr. Barghouthi emphasised that the PNI’s participation in the PLC election process is intended to provide the vast majority of the Palestinian electorate with a “third way” outside of the bi-polar options presented by Fatah and Hamas.
The PNI represents a viable option for Palestinians seeking genuine, positive political, social and economic change and reform. Many Palestinians, tired of the corruption and political patronage that characterise the current political landscape, are concerned with good governance, equity, and social justice, and policies that bring about tangible improvements in their daily lives, in the areas of health, education and employment for example. They aspire to an effective, untainted, new leadership that can lead the way towards freedom, democracy and independence.
Four major internal and external obstacles continue to hinder the election process however:
- Campaigning and voting in East Jerusalem is severely restricted. During Presidential elections, Israeli-imposed movement restrictions prevented many voters from reaching polling stations, while the fact that ballot boxes were located in Israeli post offices intimidated many Palestinians, and deterred them from voting. Israeli authorities also banned any campaigning in the city and arrested some Presidential candidates for being in Jerusalem without