A New Round of Palestinian Dialogue in Cairo.. Increasing Chances of Postponing Elections

A delegation from the "Fatah" movement is heading to the Egyptian capital on Monday to hold meetings with Egyptian officials and representatives of several forces and factions to discuss a potential Egyptian sponsorship for a new round of comprehensive national dialogue that will determine the fate of the legislative elections scheduled for November 28.

Sources confirmed to "Afaq News" that several parties will demand the participation of the Democratic Reform Trend, led by former "Fatah" and authority official Mohammed Dahlan, in the dialogue, which is a point of contention between them and the "Fatah" movement.

A Hamas official stated that "the movement will demand that the "Fatah" delegation include the trend in the national dialogue, as it is a partner and ally of the movement in the elections, and due to the role played by the trend's leader Mohammed Dahlan in implementing the Gaza agreement, as well as the role played by the trend's members in daily life in the Gaza Strip."

Sources from other factions indicated that the Egyptian side requested, in preliminary communications that took place before this visit, that the "Fatah" movement be unified and its strength enhanced before conducting the elections, emphasizing the importance of the return of all trend members to the movement.

For its part, the "Fatah" movement demands an open and unconditional dialogue, leaving the issue of the trend for the movement to address internally.

A movement official told "Afaq News": "Hamas participated in the meetings held in Alamein without setting such a condition, and now we see it imposing preconditions, which does not contribute to the success of the dialogue."

He added: "We in Fatah initiated the freezing of the procedures for forming the National Council as a goodwill gesture towards the factions, because we want political partnership with all factions, determining the future path according to the interests of our people, before holding elections."

He added that "holding elections without national consensus may increase the fragmentation of the Palestinian situation and enhance and expand divisions."

The proposed dialogue includes political partnership in the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority.

Officials in the "Fatah" movement confirmed to "Afaq News" that the movement will discuss the participation of all political forces in the Palestine Liberation Organization and its institutions, including the "Hamas" movement, and acknowledging that it alone is the political representative of the Palestinian people, and recognizing international legitimacy as the basis for the political solution.

They confirmed that the dialogue will include an agreement on a specific date, which may be new, for the legislative elections, taking into account the obstacles facing these elections, especially in the Gaza Strip, which is subject to Israeli restrictions affecting the electoral process, such as preventing the entry of the electoral commission, preventing the entry of materials necessary for conducting the elections, and not allowing international observers to enter, in addition to not halting Israeli attacks on the sector.

The committee tasked with overseeing the elections in the "Fatah" movement decided to start the process of selecting the movement's candidates for the elections starting from the beginning of this week until its end.

One of the committee members told "Afaq News": "Instructions were issued to the sub-committees in various governorates to start selecting candidate lists in each governorate, after which the official list will be chosen according to the population representation in each governorate."

He added: "In any case, the list of candidates for the Fatah movement must be fully prepared by October 9 or 10, to be submitted on the last day of the nomination deadline on the 13th of the month."

However, the preparation of the Fatah movement's list does not negate the possibilities of postponement, as officials confirm that the possibility of postponement still exists and is strengthening, in the event that political forces agree on that.

The "Fatah" movement has established electoral assemblies in various governorates, consisting of members of the Central Committee, the Revolutionary Council, the General Conference, the region, the areas, unions, and movement offices in each governorate.

The members of the assembly elect a number of candidates, according to the population of the governorate, who will be presented to the elections committee in the movement led by Central Committee member Mohammad Shtayyeh.

Eight blocs submitted their nomination papers to the Central Elections Commission by Sunday, and it is believed that the number will multiply several times as the deadline for nominations approaches.

Among the blocs being formed is a bloc that includes the Reform Stream and the "Hamas" movement. This alliance faces a problem related to international conditions that prohibit the participation of any known leaders and members of the Hamas movement in the elections.

Sources close to the alliance stated that the list faces some difficulties regarding the qualifications of the candidates, but ultimately this will not hinder its formation.

The Palestinian Authority is in talks with European Union countries regarding the elections.

Western diplomatic sources told "Afaq News" that "the Palestinian Authority is facing a serious problem in conducting elections in the Gaza Strip under the current conditions of siege, military operations, and movement restrictions, but this should not prevent the holding of elections."

The sources mentioned that canceling the elections would have a profoundly negative impact on European-Palestinian relations, but if a postponement is made to a predetermined, very realistic, and consensual date, the European Union will welcome and encourage the Palestinians to proceed with the elections as the only way to renew authority, express the will of the Palestinian people, and carry out necessary reforms."

Observers believe that the chances of postponing the elections due to internal and external difficulties have become more realistic.

It is likely that the Palestine Liberation Organization will decide to postpone for a limited period not exceeding the end of next year, if national dialogue does not succeed in reaching a decision on this matter.