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Does the Palestinian Leadership Represent All Palestinians?

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Khaled Abu Toameh - Palestinians who live abroad are calling for a voice in Palestinian decision-making. The Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which claims to represent 6-7 million Palestinians dispersed throughout 50 countries, is fiercely opposed to the Oslo Accords, signed between Israel and the PLO in 1993, and supports the "resistance" against Israel. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and several PLO leaders are incensed over the formation of the Popular Conference, viewing the PLO's status as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" as directly threatened by the group. They are also concerned about the group's extreme stances. Given that the group was established in Istanbul, PA officials surmise that Turkey, together with Qatar, are its primary backers. On June 28, 2024, 200 representatives of the Popular Conference convened in Istanbul for a symposium on the aftermath of Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Speakers at the parley agreed that the attack catalyzed "achievements" gained by the Palestinians, including anti-Israel student demonstrations in the U.S. and a rise in international attention to the Palestinian cause. These Palestinians are sending a message that Palestinian leaders are not authorized to sign any peace agreement or make any concessions to Israel. The writer, a veteran Israeli journalist, is a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Center.
2024-07-04 00:00:00
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