The third workshop of the election workshop series discussed the international positions towards the Palestinian elections. The workshop was organized on 22 March 2021 by Masarat Center and CMI.  More than 100 participants took part in the dialogue, with more than thousand people watching through social media. The keynote speaker in the workshop was Ambassador Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, the representative of the European Union in Jerusalem. The dialogue session was facilitated by Mr. Hani Al-Masri, General Director of Masarat.

The Ambassador highlighted that the European Union welcomes this historic moment and opportunity to have the elections in Palestine, in order to renew the legitimacy and restore the democracy to all Palestinian territories.

The Ambassador indicated that the European Union’s position is clear regarding holding the elections, and it is important to have free, fair and inclusive elections, because democracy and democratic legitimacy are vital in order to restore the peace process. He highlighted that the Oslo Agreement should be adhered, and that it is important to have the elections in all Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The Ambassador noted that the European Union will monitor the electoral process and assist in making it successful.

The Ambassador noted that the elections can only be democratic if all political parties adhere to the results, adding that it is time to end the division between Fatah and Hamas. He also stressed that women, youth and independent factions should be heard in the election process.