By Taghreed Saadeh
Dr. Jamal Nazzal, spokesperson of the Fatah movement and member of its Revolutionary Council, said that the upcoming Eighth General Congress of Fatah, scheduled for May 14, may be held in an exceptional format across three simultaneous halls inside and outside Palestine, due to the political and security restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation.
He told “Zaytoun News” that the Eighth Congress would be exceptional due to Israeli obstacles, and while the hope remains to hold it in a single location, preparations are underway for the possibility of holding it simultaneously in three halls.
“Fatah is also focused on ensuring leadership renewal, with some members of the current Central Committee likely to continue, while new members will also join. What distinguishes this session is that 30% of the members of both the Revolutionary Council and the Central Committee will be female”, he added.
Nazzal confirmed the return of previously expelled figures such as Fadwa Barghouti and Jamal Huweil, describing it as a source of satisfaction within the movement. He reaffirmed that prisoner leader Marwan Barghouti has always remained part of the movement, serving as a central committee member and a respected leader.
On internal cohesion, he stressed that Fatah is a very large movement, potentially the largest Arab political organization, with long-standing democratic traditions and repeated elections. While in past circumstances it was challenging to have a single unified list due to the size of the movement, unity of ranks remains a constant goal, guided by the principle of law of love within the movement.
Regarding returning members, Nazzal clarified that the process is individual, not collective, and excludes anyone convicted or with ongoing legal cases.
He underlined Fatah’s established strength in elections, pointing to victories in professional unions such as lawyers, doctors, and other professional bodies. Fatah represents a bridge between Palestine and the world, as international partners require the presence of the Palestinian Authority and adherence to the PLO program for reconstruction efforts, while excluding Hamas, which has failed in governance.
On the Palestinian political scene, Nazzal highlighted that the biggest challenge is maintaining political unity between Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, against Israeli plans to separate Gaza from Palestine. He explained that the transitional stage proposed in the Trump plan and UN Security Council resolutions resembles creating an additional authority in Gaza, and expressed hope that this stage would end, paving the way for political work toward the unification of Palestinian territories.
Regarding Saudi Arabia, he stressed that it is a crucial ally for Palestine, the only country not imposing conditions for its political and financial support. Its efforts on the international stage and support for Palestine are decisive and solely aimed at assisting the Palestinian cause and people. Saudi Arabia has played a key role in mobilizing international recognition of the State of Palestine, prioritizing this issue, and refuses any peace with Israel without recognition of an independent Palestinian state, a stance he described as commendable and noble.
Regarding Egypt, Nazzal noted that it adheres to foundational principles rooted in its national and regional commitment, respecting Palestinian legitimacy represented by the PLO and the President. He highlighted Egypt’s awareness that Hamas is part of the Muslim Brotherhood, banned in Egypt, and that strengthening this group in Palestine strengthens it in Egypt. He added that Palestinian and Jordanian Brotherhood influence are closely interconnected, and that Arab national security must be treated as a single, indivisible entity. Egypt is also committed to understanding “politics as the art of the possible” and has coordinated closely with Palestine on the economic reconstruction plan, which originated in Palestine and later became Egyptian and then Arab, with international support. The community support committee idea came from Egypt with the approval of the Palestinian Authority, establishing a technocratic committee with a future role in Gaza governance.
On accusations of corruption, Nazzal stated that these are Israeli-propagated campaigns intended to weaken the Palestinian Authority. The PA operates transparently, with budgets publicly available online. Israel, however, withholds around 65% of the PA’s tax revenues, imposes checkpoints, restrictions, punitive measures, and unjust deductions, all constituting a direct Israeli attack on the PA. Allegations of corruption are exploited and exaggerated by Israel and do not pertain to governance or administration but rather to the Palestinian national character, expressed in media, educational curricula, and the PA’s commitments to families of martyrs. Israel, in labeling this as “corruption,” essentially accuses Palestinians of terrorism, while some parties misinterpret this as concern for good governance, despite Israel itself being a primary source of corruption.
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