By Taghreed Saadeh
A draft of proposed amendments to the internal regulations of Fatah Movement, expected to be approved at the opening of its conference on May 14, reveals a fundamental shift in the structure of the movement’s leadership bodies. The changes include increasing the number of Revolutionary Council members from 80 to 120 elected members, with Central Committee members to be elected exclusively from among them.
According to the draft obtained by “Zaytoun News,” the amendments restructure the internal electoral process in a phased manner. The proposal stipulates that “the General Conference shall elect 120 members to the Revolutionary Council.” Following the announcement of results, nominations for the Central Committee will be opened only to those elected members, after which the General Conference will elect the full Central Committee from among them. This approach, as explained in the accompanying official note, aims to “enhance genuine representation and limit personalization,” while also preventing the exclusion of candidates who did not initially succeed in reaching the Central Committee.
The amendments also emphasize a complete ban on appointments within the leadership bodies, explicitly stating that “no members may be appointed to the Central Committee or the Revolutionary Council.” This reflects a clear move toward reinforcing electoral legitimacy, while maintaining a limited exception for the representation of key security and military institutions within a regulated framework.
To further promote integrity, the draft prohibits members of the preparatory committee and the conference presidency from running in elections for either the Central Committee or the Revolutionary Council, “to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.” It also calls for applying these standards across regional and local organizational levels to unify procedures throughout the movement.
Beyond electoral reforms, the amendments introduce a broader restructuring of organizational work through the creation of specialized commissions. These include a commission for prisoners, martyrs, and the wounded, as well as commissions for youth and women, in addition to an elections commission tasked with overseeing general elections, legislative, presidential, and local, in terms of preparation, organization, and follow-up. The establishment of an elections commission is particularly significant given anticipated preparations for Palestinian National Council elections within the Palestine Liberation Organization later this year.
The draft also calls for the formation of a Mobilization and Organization (body), comprising members of the Central Committee, the Revolutionary Council, and the Advisory Council, along with a limited number of organizational cadres. This body will coordinate organizational efforts and oversee related commissions, aiming to enhance integration and reduce overlap in responsibilities.
Regarding vacancies, the amendments set out clear mechanisms to ensure continuity. Any vacant seat in the Revolutionary Council would be filled by the next highest vote-getter, while vacancies in the Central Committee would be filled through an internal election by the Revolutionary Council, requiring a simple majority (50% + 1).
The explanatory memorandum accompanying the draft states that these amendments respond to “an urgent organizational need to develop the movement’s structure and strengthen principles of integrity and transparency,” emphasizing that the General Conference remains “the ultimate authority,” empowered to adopt and immediately implement these changes without deferral.
Overall, the proposed amendments signal a broader shift within Fatah Movement toward rebuilding its leadership structures on clearer electoral and institutional foundations, with a focus on expanding participation, renewing leadership, and preparing for a politically significant phase that may include upcoming electoral processes.
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