By Taghreed Saadeh
High-level sources within the Fatah movement told Zaytoun News that the movement’s Central Committee has formed a committee to conduct national consultations with Palestinian factions and various segments of Palestinian society, including business leaders, academics, civil society organizations, and national figures, with the aim of forming a unified list to contest the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for November.
The legislative elections are expected to be held in accordance with a presidential decree issued by President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, November 28.
The sources added that the Central Committee decided to establish a committee consisting of Zakaria al-Zubeidi, along with Hussein al-Sheikh, Fatah’s deputy leader, and Mohammad Shtayyeh, to oversee these consultations.
According to the sources, the initiative will include the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Palestinians abroad, with discussions to be held with faction leaders to agree on candidate names who would be included on Fatah’s official electoral list.
The sources confirmed that the selection of candidates will be based on specific criteria centered on competence and will not involve imposing particular names. They noted that the current approach focuses on selecting qualified individuals and moving away from figures who have held organizational positions within factions for many years.
The sources confirmed that dialogue will be held with Hamas as part of broader understandings and discussions regarding the situation in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip. However, they categorically denied any possibility of including figures affiliated with Hamas on Fatah’s electoral list.
They explained that the dialogue with Hamas is intended to exchange views on developments in Gaza and does not involve coordination over elections or the formation of electoral lists.
The sources also stated that the movement has formed another committee consisting of around 17 members of the Central Committee and the Revolutionary Council. This committee will begin consultations in Palestinian governorates and hold meetings with various sectors of society, including factions, businesspeople, independents, and academics, with the goal of reaching consensus on names for the final electoral list.
The sources further indicated that the possibility of coordination with other electoral lists will be discussed, including the possibility of Fatah participating in lists led by other factions, provided that these lists include competent figures.
Regarding efforts to resolve internal disputes within Fatah, the sources said that another committee consisting of Central Committee members Majed Faraj, Zakaria al-Zubeidi, Mohammad al-Madani, and Mohammad Shtayyeh will work to address the internal divisions within the movement.
The sources added that the dispute with Mahmoud al-Aloul and Jibril Rajoub is moving toward resolution, and that conditions are becoming favorable for their return to Central Committee meetings. They did not disclose the mechanisms for this, but said that contacts had taken place with both men and that the atmosphere is now more conducive to reconciliation.
The sources explained that recent statements made by Jibril Rajoub, which sparked reactions among Palestinians, represented his personal viewpoint. They stressed that all issues and disagreements will be discussed and addressed through dialogue, regardless of their nature.
The sources emphasized that regardless of differences in viewpoints, resolving outstanding issues will take place through dialogue and discussion, rather than through decisions or positions issued by any individual.
Regarding the Mohammed Dahlan faction, the sources stated that it remains committed to its positions, and that Hussein al-Sheikh will handle this file, while noting the possibility of breakthroughs in the coming period.
The sources concluded by saying that the priority is to restore the unity of the Palestinian political system between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through the legislative elections scheduled for November, stressing that everyone must recognize the sensitivity of the current phase facing the Palestinian cause.
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