Palestinian Parliament, PLC, session hangs in the balance, Fateh declares session illegal; Hamas urges Fateh to end boycott

The spokesman for the Hamas movement in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Salah Bardawil, affirmed on Thursday that the session of the Palestinian legislative body would be cancelled if the Fateh representatives of Fateh do not attend.

Bardawil told Ma'an that Hamas hoped the PLC would remain strong "amidst the storm in Palestine", outside of the fighting arena.

Bardawil explained that the PLC was based from the beginning on dialogue, and that it should continue in the same direction. He warned that Fateh PLC members' insistence to maintain their boycott of the PLC is harming their image among the Palestinian people, while at the same time prolonging the state of conflict between the Palestinian people. He added, "We hope they [Fateh PLC members] will reconsider their decision, as we are not sure that they will insist on boycotting the PLC."

The Hamas PLC spokesman reiterated that the composition of the PLC has remained unchanged, even though the Israeli forces have arrested 40 Hamas-affiliated PLC members. Bardawil explained that the PLC, contrary to what some believe, never took steps to replace those members, as it is impossible for the PLC to do so.

In order for the PLC to be able to convene, there must be 67 members attending any session. This is difficult when many of its members are in jail. According to Bardawil, "The Israeli occupation and the mutineers against the Palestinian legitimacy attempted to dissolve the PLC, but we will discuss all means to maintain it; sessions will continue."

Fatah, however, has announced that its members will not attend Thursday's session in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as part of their boycott; Fatah has declared the session illegal.

Fatah PLC member Abdullah Abdullah asserted on Wednesday, "Fatah will not attend the PLC session on Thursday, because it is a consultative session only."

Another PLC member affiliated to Fatah, Azzam Al-Ahmad, declared that the PLC's first round, which started on 3 March this year, and lasted for four months, ended on Wednesday. Therefore, any PLC session planned after 4 July is illegal, says Fatah. From this perspective, Fatah is not boycotting the PLC, but it refuses to attend any assembly that is unlawful convened.

Al-Ahmad added that Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas must use his jurisdiction according to article 43 of the Palestinian Basic Law, to dissolve the PLC and call for early elections.

Article 43 stipulates that the president of the Palestinian National Authority, i.e. President Abbas, can, under pressing circumstances, and while the PLC is not in session, which is now, issue decisions and decrees that have the power of law.

"If the PLC remains inactive, and the Palestinian forces [Hamas and Fatah] do not come to an understanding, it is very reasonable to call for early elections, and there is nothing in the Basic Law that prevents the idea."

On the other hand, article 43 also states that the decisions issued without the PLC's consent must be presented to the PLC during the first session after their issue, and must be approved by the PLC as well. Otherwise, they will cease to be legal.

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