Internal Palestinian Politics | The American Task Force on Palestine

First female leader of Palestinian party elected
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
April 4, 2011 - 12:00am

The Central Committee of the Palestinian Democratic Union convened Saturday in Ramallah and Gaza City and elected the first ever female secretary-general of a Palestinian faction, Zahira Kamal. Kamal was born in Jerusalem in 1945 and has held several official political positions. She was the first Palestinian Minister of Women's Affairs. The Palestinian Democratic Union also raised women's representation to 40 percent in the general conference, and to 50 percent for the youth conference.

Abbas says he may resign
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI)
March 31, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas hinted if negotiations with Israel fail to resume by September he may resign. At a meeting in Ramallah with members of the Council for Peace and Security, Abbas hinted he would leave his post if the situation remains unchanged, Haaretz reported Thursday.

Abbas moves on PLO constitution amendments
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
March 28, 2011 - 12:00am

President Mahmoud Abbas asked the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization to convene the body's Constitution Committee, government news agency WAFA reported. He advised the committee that it should draw up amendments to the PLO charter by the end of September. The committee was first convened in 2005, after unity talks between 13 Palestinian factions in Cairo led to an agreement which paved the way for legislative elections in 2006.

PLO urges to draft Palestinian constitution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
March 27, 2011 - 12:00am

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Sunday pushed for activating a committee to draw up a constitution for a future Palestinian state. The executive committee of the PLO, which met in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday, said in a statement that the constitution should be ready during the coming six months. "This is in order to put the draft constitutions before the Palestinian legislative sides in the suitable time," the statement added.

Palestinians Hold Talks on Reconciliation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Ethan Bronner - March 26, 2011 - 12:00am

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority met Saturday with officials of Hamas for the first time in a year in an effort to reconcile the two movements whose bitter rivalry has kept the West Bank and Gaza apart and blocked any real hope of Palestinian statehood.

Abbas, Fayyad condemn Jerusalem bombing
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
March 24, 2011 - 12:00am

President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday condemned a bombing attack in central Jerusalem that killed one woman and injured dozens, the official Palestinian Authority news agency reported. Salam Fayyad, the resigned caretaker prime minister, said in a statement, "I condemn in the strongest terms possible the terrorist attack in Jerusalem today regardless of who is behind it." He also wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad: 'An Independent Palestine Is in Israel's Interest'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Huffington Post
by Elisabeth Braw - (Interview) March 23, 2011 - 12:00am

"On August 26 there will be a Palestinian state, and it will be open to all," says Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in exclusive Metro interview. He's the Prime Minister of the Palestine National Authority. But traveling between his office in Ramallah and his Jerusalem home, Salam Fayyad must nonetheless pass Israeli military checkpoints.

Hamas calls day of mourning; Abbas demands end to fire
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
March 23, 2011 - 12:00am

Gaza government officials declared Wednesday a day of mourning, with a collective funeral in central Gaza City at midday, for the four civilians and four militants killed by Israeli fire a day earlier. Officials called on residents of Gaza to join the funeral procession. In Moscow, President Mahmoud Abbas asked the Russian foreign minister to exert pressure on Israel, and demand a halt to what he described as an "escalation" against Gaza.

WEST BANK: Fayyad’s five-week period to form government expires
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
March 22, 2011 - 12:00am

Five weeks after Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad dissolved his Cabinet, saying he needed to better prepare for upcoming elections and eventual statehood, he has yet to form a new government. Fayyad tendered his government resignation to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Feb. 14. According to Palestinian law, Fayyad had three weeks to form a government. The three weeks passed and Fayyad had not formed one. So he asked for two more weeks and he got them. So far everything is legal.

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