Palestinians: Politics and Government

(asked on 3rd February 2023) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report by the International Crisis Group Managing Palestine’s Looming Leadership Transition, published on 1 February; and what steps, if any, they have taken with international partners to call for a democratic election process for President Abbas’ successor.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 20th February 2023

We regularly remind the Palestinian leadership of the need for democratic renewal through free and fair national elections held across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, as set out in the Oslo Accords. The report from International Crisis Group is well-researched and raises important questions about the ability of the Palestinian people's ability to enjoy their democratic rights. We do not necessarily agree with every recommendation in the report but we share the view that those who come to power through elections "enjoy the greatest possible degree of popular legitimacy".

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