Palestinian Authority sent its first letter to Biden

Recently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) sent its first political letter to the new US administration, indicating the deals reached between all factions, including Hamas, on general elections in the Palestinian territories. Indeed, the letter confirmed that all factions are committed to founding a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The letter was distributed by the head of the General Authority of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh to US President Joe Biden’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr.

In fact, the Authority talked about the next elections, declaring that all factions of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and others are committed to the elections that would be held under the modified Basic Law.

The message that transported by the Amad news site, showed the recent commitments agreed by all political factions, including Hamas, at the gathering of the secretaries-general on September 3, 2020. They actually agreed to commit to all standards of International law, affirming that the PLO is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

Moreover, all factions decided to create an independent Palestinian state in all territories Israel illegally occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also affirmed that there would be a peaceful transfer of power after the elections and ongoing nonviolent popular resistance against the Israeli occupation.

According to Amad news, the modified elections law published through a decree by President Mahmoud Abbas clearly indicates that elections are based on the Basic Law of the PLO that is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

Furthermore, the message also indicates the conditions for candidacy, while any legible Palestinian who wants to run for office should fill and sign an application in which they agree to the Basic Palestinian Law and its amendments, and accepting the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people. That message came as a response to a demand for clarification from the US administration regarding the partnership with Hamas in the elections.

Otherwise, Israeli Channel 12 affirmed last week that Washington claims that any next Palestinian government should recognize Israel, renounce violence and maintain deals.

However, the US administration and the Authority did not instantly comment on the report, but a source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that there are no fears or worries that a dispute or clash about this issue.

The elections would be held under the support of the PLO, and the organization is committed to all agreements and any government would be formed accordingly, and Palestinians would take part in parliamentary and presidential elections on May 22 and July 31 respectively, if there is not a disagreement between Fatah and Hamas.