Ramallah: Having considered the resignation of MP Rawia Al-Shawa from Independent Palestine, the Coalition would like to declare the following points:
- Ms. Al-Shawa chose to run as a member of Independent Palestine, and secured a seat on the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) as a result of the efforts of Independent Palestine colleagues, supporters and volunteers. While she could have run as an independent candidate for Gaza, it is well known that Ms. Al-Shawa would have not achieved the level of votes needed to gain a seat on the PLC without the Coalition’s backing.
- The fact that Ms. Al-Shawa is seeking to evade her legal, political and financial commitments to Independent Palestine, whose members have channelled all their energies and resources into her successful election to the PLC, is not behaviour fitting of a member of parliament. By breaking the written, legal commitment signed by her and all other members of Independent Palestine to respect and implement the decisions of the Coalition Council, she has turned her back on her colleagues and friends, and her responsibilities to those who voted for her. Ms. Al-Shawa’s split from the Coalition represents a moral, legal and political violation of this agreement.
- Independent Palestine refutes claims made by Ms. Al-Shawa in a public statement that her resignation was carried out with the Coalition’s knowledge and acceptance. Ms. Al-Shawa has avoided attending Coalition meetings since her election, and by doing so, she has avoided her responsibility to the principles of united, participatory leadership that the Coalition represents.
Independent Palestine hopes that Ms. Al-Shawa will rescind her decision to leave the Coalition, and that she will continue to work with them towards achieving their objectives. However, should she abide by her decision to resign, it is only right that she give up her seat on the PLC to the successive Coalition member.
Independent Palestine will maintain its legal rights towards ensuring that this step is taken.
Signed by members of the Independent Palestine list and representatives of the Coalition:
Kamal Hassouneh
Amal Khreishe
Dr. Allam Jarrar
Dr. Talal A-Sharif
Samer Anabtawi
Nasif Abu Shousheh
Raja Shehadeh
Mohammad Masroujeh
Eli Shehadi
Nadia Natsheh
Abdel Karim Odeh
Salah Al Khawajeh
Thoraya Al Eyyan
Nassif i-Deek
Layla Wafi
Ziad Amro
Bashir Shaheen
Dr. Mohammad Aboushi
Mazen Abu Shamsiyyeh
Dr. Khalid i-Sayfi
Yousef Abu Saada
Nawal Stiti
Dr. Abdel Jawad Al Hammouri
Zidan Al Jabari
Amin Abdel Karim Ahmad Abdallah
Maher Al Saf
Hanna Rishmawi
Ahmad Arrar
Dr. Mohammad Odeh
Dr. Mahmoud Brigith
Tamam Iskander
Khalil Moussa Hrimi
Othman Abu Sabha
Sliman Dweikat
Mohammad Abu Mhadi
Aish A-Saifi
Eyad Masroujeh
Adel Hindi
Sami Al Bihdari
A’ed Yaghi
Lama Hourani
Jamal Al Rizi
Fayez Mansour
Amin Abu Mustafa
Kamal Zayed
Abdel Hadi Abu Khousa
Basem Khoury
Ahmad Al Wishai
Mohammad Abu Hayja
Fares Mjahid
Suad Shreem
Mohammad Taher Asad Ali
Fouad Daabsheh
Hussein Al Tawil
Khalid Badran
Dr. George Giacaman
Hassan Sbeh
Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi