Ramallah: President Mahmoud Abbas received on Thursday the draft of the Interim Constitution of the State of Palestine.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the draft was presented during a meeting with the committee tasked with drafting the provisional Palestinian constitution, headed by its chairman, Counselor Muhammad al-Hajj Qasim, and attended by its members. The President commended the committee members for their efforts in drafting the provisional constitution for the State of Palestine, which aims to transition from the current authority to a recognized state, acknowledged by more than 160 countries.
President Abbas highlighted that this year is marked as the year of democracy, with the Palestinian National Council elections scheduled both within Palestine and abroad, alongside the eighth Fatah conference and local elections set for next April. He stressed that the constitutional articles, especially those relating to rights and freedoms, protect citizens' rights and ensure effective representation for women and youth, reflecting their role in Palestinian society.
Hajj Qassem noted the committee, formed by presidential decree, began its work immediately upon appointment by the President. The committee's efforts spanned approximately seven months, including 70 meetings and consultations with various civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders. The committee chairman stated that the draft constitution upholds political pluralism and the separation of powers, while also empowering Parliament to exercise its oversight and legislative functions.
President Abbas instructed that a copy of the draft provisional constitution be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization for review, followed by publication for public comment. A decision regarding the publication procedures, mechanisms, and timeframe will be issued.