The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) cautioned against the continuation of threat and intimidation against local authorities and their elected councils’ mayors and members; most recently the prison sentence against the President of APLA Mousa Hadid in his capacity as Mayor of Ramallah City, and Member of the Executive Committee of APLA Azzam Ismail in his capacity as Mayor of Al-Bireh City. This had been against the backdrop of a dispute over requirements of granting a professional license.

APLA affirms that the recent prison sentence against elected mayors is a continuation of a series of infringements upon local authorities, elected councils, and staff. This leads to undermining the local authorities and impedes the performance of their tasks and functions. It is a disregard of the vital roles of the local authorities to deliver services to citizens on behalf of the government.  

APLA asserts that the Executive Committee will be in ongoing meetings to review practical steps to handle the policies and intimidations against the local authorities and to defend their rights and mandates. APLA is also reviewing available options and necessary legal steps to safeguard the rights and mandates of the local authorities.          

APLA confirms that the local authorities in Palestine are all under the law. APLA always confirms that it is necessary to abide by the regulations and laws that regulate the functions of the local authorities. The law guarantees the mandates of the local authorities that authorize them to make policies and take decisions to run the affairs of their towns and villages. Complaining against the decisions of the local authorities is conducted through administrative and regulatory appeals rather than arbitrary and unjustified threatening through penal accusations. APLA stresses that law enforcement may not be selective. There are thousands of lawsuits filed by local authorities awaiting hearing at courts. There are also thousands of legal cases that had been sentenced in favor of local authorities awaiting implementation.

Association of Palestinian Local Authorities

Ramallah, January 23, 2019