Preparatory Meeting for a Palestinian Conference on PLO Reform

17 October 2024

The Preparatory Committee for the Palestinian National Conference convened in Doha on October 12-13, following a series of virtual meetings over the past months. The committee gathered in person in the Qatari capital to address key political issues related to the upcoming conference, including the time and location of the event. During the meeting, committees responsible for organizing the conference were approved, with a timeline set to complete their tasks by the conference’s opening.

A central focus of the meeting was a comprehensive political overview of the current situation in Palestine and across the Arab region. The committee emphasized that the repercussions of the ongoing conflict are no longer limited to the occupied Palestinian territories, but have affected the entire region. This shift has been particularly notable following the recent Israeli assault on Lebanon, which has reshaped the region’s geopolitical landscape. The committee also pointed to renewed efforts to advance normalization, despite the lack of a just solution to the Palestinian cause. These moves are seen as part of a broader attempt to create an American-Israeli-Arab alliance, going beyond mere normalization.

Preparatory Meeting for a Palestinian Conference on PLO Reform

The committee strongly rejected any proposals to manage Gaza from an Israeli security perspective under the so-called “day after” scenario. It stressed the need for a unified Palestinian leadership to counter such plans and rejected any attempt to place Gaza under civil administration while maintaining Israeli security control. The committee viewed this as undermining the sacrifices made by the Palestinian people, which should result in meaningful political achievements. It further noted that these proposals fall short even of the terms set out in the Oslo Accords, which the committee also opposes.

The conference, according to the committee, represents an ongoing popular movement aimed at establishing a unified national leadership. This leadership would be tasked with guiding the Palestinian national struggle and ensuring cohesive political and military strategies. The goal is to rebuild the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on democratic foundations, achieving comprehensive national unity. The committee stressed the importance of safeguarding the Palestinian people’s right to self-representation and reaching their national aspirations without external interference. This would be facilitated through democratic elections held wherever Palestinians reside.

The committee also reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to resist occupation by any means consistent with international law, aiming to thwart the Zionist colonial project and dismantle the apartheid system. This includes ensuring the right of refugees to return to their homes and establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. The committee rejected security coordination with Israel and highlighted the failures of the Oslo Accords.

Tentative Date Set for Conference in January 2025

At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee called on all Palestinians, both inside and outside of the occupied territories, to contribute to achieving national unity and common goals. The committee members tentatively agreed to hold the conference during the second week of January 2025, with the final date to be announced later. They also approved a plan to fund the conference through monthly subscriptions and donations.

The call for the Palestinian National Conference to rebuild the PLO on democratic principles has garnered support from more than 1,600 Palestinian figures, including activists, professionals, doctors, researchers, academics, artists, journalists, and legal experts, as well as former prisoners and politicians. Preparatory meetings have been held in several countries, including Palestine, the UK, the Netherlands, Qatar, Kuwait, Spain, Belgium, France, the United States, Lebanon, and Turkey, to coordinate positions and organize participation in the upcoming conference.

Read More:

ShortURL ⬇