Ramallah: The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy – MIFTAH, hosted yesterday a group of prominent politicians, representative of most Palestinian political parties, to discuss the progress of the National Conciliation Document of the Prisoners since it was endorsed by Palestinian factions last June.

Participants agreed that the current Palestinian situation is dangerously on the brink of collapse, while others argued that the situation has already collapsed; therefore expediency is urgently needed in order to salvage what is left of the economy and to save the moral and social fabric of Palestinian society.

Participants accepted that the Palestinian situation is always influenced by inescapable external dynamics, and while the occupation and Israel’s siege on the Palestinian population is largely to blame for how low the situation has sunk to, this does not absolve the government and the presidency from taking their share of responsibility in managing the situation, one person intervened.

Discussions ensued over the reform of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and whether or not it can actually be rehabilitated at all, given the current circumstances. The impact of Hamas’ rise to power was a concern among some in the group; one person specifically highlighted the impact of Hamas’ social agenda on what has been traditionally considered a pluralistic and secular society.

One participant raised concern that the resolution to the current quagmire requires a degree of realism as to what Palestinians can actually achieve and a wise assessment for plans to move forward. On the other hand, another participant spoke about the need for internal reform, as the Palestinian nation-building process cannot be placed on hold until Israeli occupation is ended.