AMMAN: Mahmoud Abbas signed a presidential decree Sunday promising at least seven parliamentary seats to Palestinians of the Christian faith. Palestinians are expected to elect 132 legislators based on proportional representation.
Former Mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun told Arab News that the new legislative advice must reflect the diversity of Palestinian society in order to embrace Palestinian pluralism, saying: “The elected council must which is to come to reflect the widest national knowledge and representation of our society as a whole. Palestinian women and Christians. ”
Ramzi Khoury, head of the Presidential High Committee for Church Affairs, welcomed the decision, saying it is the first time the quota has been opened.
“The fact that the order requires at least seven members is to be welcomed as it provides an opportunity for Palestinians of all kinds to compete with the opportunity for more. people elected than the lowest quota, ”he told Arab News.
Jerusalem Orthodox Archbishop Sebastia Atallah Hanna told Arab News that Palestinians welcome this decision.
“We generally urge the Palestinian Legislative Council to introduce new blood and hope that they will be selected on the basis of qualifications and ability. ”
Nashat Filmon, director of the Palestinian Bible Society, said it is good to have a definitive representation that reflects the Palestinian Christian presence in the cradle of Christianity.
“I would like the representatives of the Palestinian Legislative Council to focus on the living stones, Palestinian Christians, and not just the physical stones that represent the history of Christianity in Palestine,” he told Arab News.
Ibrahim Daebes, a former Christian school principal and daily columnist for Al Quds Daily, told Arab News that it is vital that the new representatives work to stop hate speech.
“Palestinian Christians have personal and religious persecution from all quarters and it is important for the newly elected council to draft legislation that will stop radical elements in our society spouting hate speech and religious upheaval at Palestinians, ”he said.
Bernard Sabella, a former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, welcomed the President’s decision. “This is an excellent decision because our experience is that Palestinian voters vote by geography, not nationality,” he said.
Sabella said previous previous unsuccessful experiences “require us to have a new vision and a comprehensive plan that addresses our needs. We need our representatives to represent their country and not religion. ”
He said: “We are at a political crossroads and cannot live with the minds of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. While I respect ideologies, we must revive international support for the Palestinian cause and stop the astronomy that does not address the local and international goals. What we need instead of trying to improve our sustainability on the ground and working for a state is what will help us in this effort to stay on our land. ”