Israel blamed for hurdles to democratic process

Israel continues to undermine Palestinian attempts at setting up democratic institutions, a Palestinian official said yesterday.

"Israel is trying to destroy all the fundamentals for building a state and obstruct the democratic process in Palestine," said Dr Hanan Ashrawi, a parliamentarian and former cabinet minister.

"Israel does not want to deal with Palestinians as a people who have the right to self-determination. It has systematically destroyed our institutions and infrastructure," she said during the Arab Strategy Forum.

Dr Ashrawi also welcomed Marwan Barghouti's decision to withdraw from the upcoming Palestinian presidential election. Barghouti is a popular leader serving a multiple life sentence in an Israeli jail. Dr Ashrawi said Barghouti's withdrawal would increase the chance that Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate, will win the January poll.

"Marwan saw that there must be a political programme, rather than an individual issue. He saw that national unity is more important than trying to win personal gains," she said. Dr Ashrawi said that Barghouti had highlighted the plight of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

She pointed out that the Palestinians will be holding a number of municipal and legislative elections over the next six months.

"There is a full democratic process proceeding, according to a specific programme and in line with specific regulations. The main obstacle is the occupation and Israel's attempt to prevent the Palestinian people from enjoying these rights," she said.

Dr Ashrawi said she expected Abbas to win the election.

She said that whoever replaces Yasser Arafat will need to work hard to win over sceptical Palestinians, who worry about Israel's willingness to withdraw from Arab lands and allow a viable Palestinian state.

"Arafat was always forgiven for his mistakes because he enjoyed a historical legacy.

"But how will Abbas be dealt with if he makes a mistake, or compromises on the fundamentals?" she asked.

She said only strong rules and regulations and institutions would be able to fill the vacuum left by the death of Arafat, who was president of the Palestinian Authority and head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

Dr Ashrawi hailed the emergence of a new generation of Palestinian political leadership.