Ramallah: A statement made today by Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, and head of the Independent Palestine coalition, warned that a postponement of Legislative elections would remove the only solution to the leadership vacuum in Palestinian politics, and to the increasingly dire internal security situation in Palestine.
He related calls by some groups for the postponement or cancellation of elections to fears that an election loss would mean an end to political privileges, and the opening of files on corruption.
Dr. Barghouthi also added that calls by such groups for democracy on the one hand, and the postponement of elections on the other, represented an anomalous gap between rhetoric and action.
He stressed that democratic elections are the only solution to increasing lawlessness in Palestine, and to creating a strong, transparent and accountable leadership capable of meeting the real needs of ordinary Palestinians.
On a separate note, Dr. Barghouthi also addressed the proposed Israeli ban on Legislative elections in East Jerusalem, and the withdrawal of certain candidates in protest.
He emphasized that the Israeli ban was further evidence both of Israel’s long-term efforts to undercut the democratic process in Palestine, and the creation of a democratic Palestinian state, and to undermine Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, one supported by countless United Nations resolutions, and peace agreements.
Dr. Barghouthi responded to the withdrawal of a number of election candidates in protest at the ban by highlighting that such actions do not serve the cause of democracy. He added that the role of candidates should be to galvanise popular, non-violent protest to challenge, not give in to Israeli intransigence.
He elaborated by stating that all groups participating in elections should work to mobilise a popular support base to protect the cause of democracy, and to ensure the right of Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem to vote in elections through collecting ballots on a street-by-street, and door-to-door basis if necessary.