Independent Palestine candidates toured the Hebron district today as part of their Legislative election campaign. The group included Mustafa Barghouthi, head of the coalition, fellow Independent Palestine candidates, Ms. Amal Khreishe, Yousef Tmazi and Mazen Abu Shamsiyyeh, and independent candidates, Mahmoud Brighet and Ali Abu Zanid, who are supported by Independent Palestine.
The group began their tour with a trip to Hebron’s Old City where they met with business owners and shoppers and discussed difficulties facing the local population, including economic decline as a result of continued closures and movement restrictions, and the presence of Israeli settlements in the heart of the city.
This was followed by a meeting with local representatives in Dura village, who briefed the group on issues of importance to the community, including the problems of nepotism and favoritism dominating local politics, the need for student scholarships, and the lack of rule of law in the area.
Dr. Barghouthi acknowledged the severity of these problems, and affirmed Independent Palestine’s to internal reform, including an end to corruption and political patronage, a complete overhaul of the numerous security services, ensuring the actual separation of powers between the executive, judiciary and legislative branches, enforcing the rule of law, and promoting the rights of marginalized groups such as women, youth and disabled persons.
He urged meeting participants to use Legislative elections as the chance to make their voices heard, and to bring about a sea change in government policies, adding that only through democratic Legislative elections can the leadership vacuum in Palestinian politics be filled.
Dr. Barghouthi also reported that Independent Palestine, through its strong partnerships with civil society organizations, was providing health and education services throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
He stated that Independent Palestine’s diverse make-up ensured representation of a wide cross-section of Palestinian society within the coalition, including marginalized groups such as women and disabled persons.
Meanwhile, Independent Palestine candidates, Ms. Amal Khreishe and Ziad Amr, along with two other independent candidates supported by Independent Palestine, Yousef Tmazi and Mazen Abu Shamsiyyeh, held meetings with local representatives in Beit Ummar and the Al Arub refugee camp.
They discussed the democratic revolution that Palestine is currently undergoing, and urged local participants to use their voting powers to effect real transformation within Palestinian society.
Having finally secured permission from Israeli authorities to enter Gaza, Dr. Barghouthi is spending Monday evening meeting with local representatives in the Strip.