Political Transformation

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is currently one of the only European organizations cooperating with Fatah. Beyond this partnership the FES is proud to support Al-Mubadara, a burgeoning party dedicated to democracy and political reform. Through party organization projects, institution building, human resource renewal and platform development the FES propels Fatah and Al-Mubadara, and thereby democratic development in the Palestinian Territories.

The FES supports the transformation process of the Palestinian National Initiative (Al-Mubadara) from a civil rights movement to a social democracy-oriented political party. The FES especially supports Al-Mubadara in its efforts to promote young activists as they build regional networks.

In 2006 the FES carried out projects with Fatah including Discussion forums in Kiel and Berlin from May 28th – June 3d 2006 with representatives of important Fatah bodies and contributed support through the development of democratic structures. The program acquainted group with the structure and organization of the SPD as a broadly based party from the local level to the steering committee. Participants gleaned information on legislation, campaigns and the party finance.

With the support of the German Federal Foreign Office, the FES conducted a program in cooperation with Fatah, which included creation of a think tank for experts and researchers of all disciplines. Seminars on party organization, platform development and campaign work were held for the leaders of Fatah while junior personnel received political education seminars, training, and advice for those newly elected in the Gaza Strip.

Through a training program conducted with the Fatah youth organization Shabibet over the course of several months on international political issues, negotiation, and decision making the FES was able to strengthen young leaders understanding of Israeli, European and international politics.

Party platform development receives extensive support. Party researcher Prof. Dr. Peter Lösche and political scientist Dr. Carsten Stender lead a consulting initiative directed at young leaders from both Fatah and Al-Mubadara on questions of party formation, party development and the creation of a party system. Special care was taken in the seminars and programs to actively include women.

In March of 2007 as well the FES sponsored a multi party delegation visit of Palestinian Legislative Council Members to Berlin. The delegation included Azzam Al-Ahmad of Fatah, Majed Abu Schammalah, and Dr. Sahar Al-Qawasmy of Fatah and Bassam Al-Salhi of the Palestinian Peoples Party. In Germany the delegation met with high level members of the Bundestag and addressed political and humanitarian developments in Palestine. The delegation also gained expert perspectives on the structure and function of the German parliamentary system and established stronger ties to the international community.

See the Recent Short Report on Al-Mubadara in Europe here
See the Short Report on the First Contact with the National Unity Government here