Analysis
Why Palestinians Will Not Have New Leaders
Gatestone
25.11.24
Image Source:
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (center) at a meeting of Fatah leadership in the presidential residence in Ramallah (WAFA Agency)..png
Palestinian Authority and Hamas leaders have systematically suppressed dissent, targeting activists and journalists, thereby stifling democratic processes and hindering the emergence of new leadership. This repression has entrenched authoritarian rule, impeding progress toward stability and prosperity.
The article "Why Palestinians Will Not Have New Leaders" by Bassam Tawil presents several key arguments:
Systematic Suppression of Dissent: Both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas have engaged in systematic repression of political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, employing tactics such as arbitrary detention and torture to silence critics and deter opposition.
Entrenchment of Authoritarian Rule: This suppression has entrenched authoritarian governance in Palestinian territories, stifling democratic processes and preventing the emergence of new leadership capable of guiding Palestinians toward security, stability, and prosperity.
International Indifference to Internal Abuses: The international community, including bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC), has largely ignored human rights abuses committed by Palestinian leaders against their own people, focusing instead on actions involving Israel, thereby failing to hold Palestinian authorities accountable.
Obstruction of Democratic Transition: The current leadership structures within the PA and Hamas are resistant to change, with entrenched elites unlikely to cede power or allow for democratic transitions, even after the eventual departure of aging leaders like PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
Necessity for Comprehensive Change: The article argues that for meaningful leadership change to occur, especially in the Gaza Strip, it is essential to completely dismantle Hamas's military, political, and civil capabilities, a process that may be prolonged but is deemed necessary for genuine progress.
These points collectively underscore the challenges facing the emergence of new Palestinian leadership due to internal repression and lack of international accountability.
