On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Dr. Nasser Alkidwa spoke at a meeting with international journalists, organized by the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department in Al-Muntada Hall at Yasser Arafat Museum on 28 November 2019.  Dr. Alkidwa observed that while it is difficult to predict future events, continuing with the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Dr. Alkidwa noted, “I understand the state of frustration and disappointment that predominates among the Palestinian people because of the internal situation, but that does not mean they are not linked to the conflict.”  He spoke of the imperative to attend to and enhance the services within all sectors of the State of Palestine, particularly in health and education.

On the issue of elections, Dr. Alkidwa posited that consolidating and practicing the democratic process within all institutions is more important than the elections themselves, and should be a requirement.

Dr. Alkidwa emphasized that “We need to work continuously to create a democratic environment at all levels to have elections, stressing the need to exercise and solidify the democratic process in society.”  He added, “I don’t know how elections can contribute to ending the internal division, but since the decision is already made, then let it be, no one can be against democracy.”  He warned against holding elections in the West Bank without the Gaza Strip and the nomination of one joint list with Hamas and other factions.

On the other hand, Dr. Alkidwa stated that the Israelis have advanced with their policies and practices, and are planning for the next phase.  He suggested that much could be done to strengthen the internal situation, ending the division at the outset, as well as confronting corruption and adopting a different strategy than the one with which we are dealing at present.

Dr. Alkidwa condemned the American position against [Palestinian] national rights, indicating that the United States is no longer a sponsor of the peace process but rather part of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  He considers the U.S. Administration’s statement that settlements are legal and consistent with international law as a crime integrated within the adopted policy of the U.S. that denies the two-state solution and the positions of previous U.S. administrations.   He observed that this statement by the U.S. Administration encourages Israel to continue its settler colonialism and other practices that destroy the two-state solution.