RAMALLAH - "Al-Quds" Dot Com - Ahmed Daraghmeh - Fatah Central Committee member Jibril Rajoub called for Palestinian presidential elections to be held first, pointing out that the Palestinian political system is presidential, not parliamentary.
Rajoub said in a meeting with youth activists, organized by the Palestinian Peace Coalition, on Tuesday in Ramallah, that the political system is presidential, and therefore it is preferable for elections to start with presidential elections and then move to legislative elections.
He expressed his doubts about holding legislative elections on the announced date at the end of next November, noting that holding legislative elections first requires a national dialogue and ensuring they are held in Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
However, he urged active participation in these elections if they are held. He urged youth and women to take effective action, organize activities, and present active young figures to the forefront of the electoral scene.
He said that he personally would stand behind the list that the Fatah movement would nominate, confirming that he would not nominate himself in these elections.
President Mahmoud Abbas set November 28 as the date for legislative elections. He pledged to hold presidential elections next year.
Rajoub said that the fact that the Palestinian political system is presidential and not parliamentary necessitates us holding presidential elections first.
He said that he personally would not nominate himself for any position in the Authority or in the PLO, but he would have a role in the Authority and PLO elections.
Dozens of young men and women participated in the meeting organized by the Peace Coalition, titled: Elections and the Role of Youth in Shaping the Future.
A number of young men and women from the Gaza Strip also participated in the conference via video conferencing technology.
In addition to the Fatah Central Committee member, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, Lieutenant General Jibril Rajoub, the head of the German Representative Office, Anke Schlimm, former minister Dr. Samih Al-Abed, and the director of the Palestinian Peace Coalition institution, Nidal Al-Fuqaha, participated in the meeting.
In his opening speech, Al-Fuqaha said that the large turnout of youth from various governorates of the West Bank to participate in the conference reflects their commitment and eagerness to engage in public affairs, noting that the conference comes within a program implemented by the Palestinian Peace Coalition in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
He explained that the program was launched in October 2025, funded by the German Foreign Ministry through the "Zivik" program, and aims to enhance the capabilities of Palestinian youth and stimulate their participation in public life, stressing that the first phase of the project was limited to the West Bank due to the conditions in the Palestinian territories.
Al-Fuqaha addressed a message to the youth in the Gaza Strip, in which he affirmed that the Strip would be a central focus in the next phase of the program, noting that the importance of the project increased after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the holding of legislative elections on November 28.
He said: "A whole generation of Palestinian youth has not had the opportunity to participate in elections, as the last general elections date back to 2006, so youth must be given the opportunity to participate in the next legislative council, and to have a presence in the government, official institutions, civil society, and the private sector."
Al-Fuqaha also thanked the German government for its support for the project, explaining that the program extends for 15 months and aims to empower 400 young men and women from the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
For her part, the head of the German Representative Office, Envoy Anke Schlimm, expressed her happiness to participate in the conference and to see this number of young people, especially women, from different areas of the West Bank.
She affirmed that the German government continues its support for the two-state solution and peace, in addition to its support for the reform efforts led by the Palestinian government, including reforming the financial system and developing educational curricula.
She added: "I met President Mahmoud Abbas twice, and in every meeting, I asked him about the date of the presidential elections. We recently witnessed the success of the local elections, and we hope that this step will be completed by holding general elections."
Schlimm pointed out that there are campaigns in Germany and a number of European countries to boycott settlement products as a form of political protest, affirming her country's continued provision of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and expressing her hope to visit the Strip soon.
She also expressed her concern about the escalation of settler attacks in the West Bank, saying that these attacks increased in the period leading up to the elections.
In turn, Lieutenant General Jibril Rajoub affirmed that the current stage requires focusing on the reality of Palestinian youth, calling for ensuring 50% participation of women in various decision-making positions.
He said that Palestinian youth face great challenges, foremost among them the Israeli occupation and internal division, adding: "My message to the youth is steadfastness, and we all must provide the elements of steadfastness for the Palestinian people."
He pointed out that Israel faces increasing international isolation due to its policies, calling on youth to engage more in political life and to prepare for active participation in the upcoming legislative and presidential elections.
He added: "From here I say to the youth: Come forward and mobilize yourselves. If there are forums, let them be activated, and if there are platforms, let them be utilized, and let everyone go to the people with clear programs and visions."
شارك برأيك
During a meeting held by the Palestinian Peace Coalition... Rajoub calls for presidential elections first and urges youth participation