Hazem Qasam, the spokesperson for Hamas, has issued a strong condemnation of recent electoral processes concerning the Palestinian National Council, specifically targeting the elections for Palestinian communities abroad. In a statement that reached Al-Risala Net, Qasam characterized the involvement of Palestinian Authority leadership and senior figures from Fatah in these elections as “manipulation.” He drew a direct parallel between the current situation and similar incidents that occurred in Kuwait, suggesting a coordinated pattern of behavior aimed at undermining democratic legitimacy.
Qasam argued that these actions serve as a clear indicator of the Palestinian Authority’s intention to form a National Council composed of a “single color,” meaning it would be dominated by one political faction without genuine competition. According to the Hamas spokesperson, the goal is to replace elections with appointments, thereby bypassing the will of the people. He described this approach as a continuation of a broader policy of exclusivity and marginalization practiced by the current leadership.
The spokesperson emphasized the logical inconsistency in the current political trajectory. He noted that while various national forces are striving to build a political system grounded in legitimacy and popular sovereignty, the Palestinian Authority appears determined to circumvent this path. Instead of fostering inclusive democratic mechanisms, the Authority is allegedly employing methods closer to appointment, effectively stalling progress toward a representative government. Qasam viewed this not merely as an administrative dispute but as a fundamental rejection of the mandate given by the Palestinian populace.
In response to these developments, Qasam called upon all national and popular components within Palestinian society to firmly defend their right to choose their representatives for the National Council. He stressed the critical importance of achieving an elected council capable of producing legitimate institutions. Such institutions, he asserted, are essential for addressing the myriad challenges facing the Palestinian people. The call to action underscores Hamas’s stance that any political structure lacking broad-based electoral support lacks the authority needed to lead the national struggle effectively.
