The third National Dialogue Forum, held in Istanbul, Turkey, has called for a renewed effort to unify Palestinian ranks. The forum, organized by the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, brought together political leaders, academics, legal experts, and representatives from Palestinian communities across 28 countries.
Under the banner of ‘Palestinian Unity in the Face of Annihilation, Displacement, and Annexation,’ the meeting addressed critical issues facing the Palestinian people. Participants discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the need to rebuild the Palestinian political system, reconciliation efforts to overcome internal divisions, and the situation of Palestinians in the diaspora.
The forum, attended by approximately 220 Palestinian figures, aims to forge practical strategies and collective action plans. A central goal is to establish a unified Palestinian leadership, both within Palestine and abroad, capable of safeguarding national interests and creating new political horizons that transcend the current fragmentation.
During a session titled ‘Arranging the Palestinian House and Achieving National Consensus,’ speakers emphasized the existential necessity of a unified Palestinian political decision-making process. They warned that continued division only empowers the occupation to intensify its settlement policies, displace Palestinians, and seize their land.
Moein al-Taher, Secretary of the General Authority of the Palestinian National Conference, stated that resistance, through its steadfastness, has ‘returned the Palestinian cause from a state of liquidation to the forefront of events.’ He added that the future national strategy should focus on supporting the resilience of the Palestinian people in all their locations, backing resistance in all its forms, and working to isolate the occupation internationally by exposing its crimes and prosecuting its leaders as war criminals.
The forum’s discussions highlighted the urgent need for Palestinians to overcome internal divisions and present a united front in the face of ongoing challenges. Participants expressed hope that the Istanbul meeting would serve as a catalyst for renewed efforts towards national unity and a more effective defense of Palestinian rights.
