A Statement of Support for Dr. Mustafa Barghouti

by Dr. Abdul-Sattar Kassem

Deliberations took place with brother Dr. Mustafa Barghouti concerning the Palestinian elections, particularly regarding the deliberate local and Arab media bias in favor of one candidate, and the foreign and Arab interference supporting one candidate at the expense of others. I mention in particular the interference of the United States and Britain, and the rumors Israel is spreading about the facilities Palestinians would obtain should a particular candidate win. There is a local, Arab, and international mobilization aimed at pre-emptively influencing Palestinian public opinion and steering it toward electing that candidate.

Following these deliberations, brother Dr. Mustafa Barghouti agreed to include the following points in his electoral program, points that are pivotal in my own electoral program:

First: Islam and the Islamic forces are two vital factors in Palestinian institution-building at the legislative, administrative, and political levels.

Second: The Right of Return is the best guarantee for establishing a genuine Palestinian state. Establishing a Ministry of Refugees to work on explaining the refugee issue globally will contribute to achieving this goal.

Third: The Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves by every means and method they see fit. It is forbidden to arrest a Palestinian who is defending his people and his homeland.

Fourth: We welcome foreign financial support on condition that it flows within a national Palestinian economic and social program. Foreign support directed against Arab and Islamic heritage, culture, and thought is rejected.

Fifth: The struggling Fatah brothers do not bear the burden of the mistakes committed against the people and the cause by Palestinian officials.

Sixth: We proceed with our internal construction at the very time that we rebuild our Arab and international alliances, with the aim of standing firmly on our own feet in confronting aggression.

Seventh: Swift action to reorganize the Palestine Liberation Organization so that it becomes representative of all sectors, parties, and segments of the Palestinian people, in accordance with a new charter.

Accordingly, I call on all the brothers and sisters who supported my electoral program and stood with me in my electoral campaign to give their support and backing to brother Dr. Mustafa Barghouti. We want change on the Palestinian scene, and the election of Dr. Mustafa represents a key toward new Palestinian horizons, which we hope will bear good fruit.

Abdul-Sattar Kassem

Professor

Source: Translated from the original Arabic, “بيان دعم للدكتور مصطفى البرغوثي” by Dr. Abdul-Sattar Kassem.