Ramallah – The Executive Committee of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) elected Mr. Yousef Al-Jaabari, Mayor of Hebron, as President of APLA; Mr. Mohammad Jarrar, Mayor of Jenin, as Vice President; Mr. Rabhie Dawleh, Mayor of Beitunia, as Secretary; and Mr. Samer Abdel Rabbo, Mayor of Al-Jib, as Treasurer, thereby completing the allocation of leadership positions for the APLA’s new Executive Committee for the 2026–2028 electoral term. The elections took place during a meeting of the Executive Board held in Ramallah, attended by all its members, former APLA President Mr. Abdalkarim Al-Zubaidi, and APLA Executive Director Mr. Abdallah Anati.

The meeting was preceded by a meeting of APLA’s Administrative Committee, during which the composition of the Executive Committee was completed. The following representatives were elected: Mr. Ghassan Qabha, Mayor of Barta'a, and Mr. Bader Khandaqji, Mayor of Allar, representing the northern governorates; Mr. Ziad Khoweis, Mayor of Eizaria, Mr. Samer Abdel Rabbo, Mayor of Al-Jib, and Mr. Rabhie Dawleh, Mayor of Beitunia, representing the central governorates; and Mr. Wajdi Melhem, Mayor of Halhul, and Mr. Laith Qumsieh, Mayor of Beit Sahour, representing the southern governorates. They join the mayors of the governorate centres: Mr. Mohammad Jarrar, Mayor of Jenin; Mr. Hanna Hananeya, Mayor of Bethlehem; Ms. Anan Atira, Mayor of Nablus; Mr. Nasr Faqha, Mayor of Tulkarm; Mr. Mahmoud Daraghmeh, Mayor of Tubas; Mr. Diaa Darqouq, Mayor of Salfit; Mr. Salem Ghrouf, Mayor of Jericho; Mr. Yacoub Saadeh, Mayor of Ramallah; Mr. Munif Tareesh, Mayor of Al-Bireh; and Mr. Yousef Al-Jaabari, Mayor of Hebron.

The meeting was attended by representatives of APLA member LGUs serving on the APLA’s Administrative Committee from across the northern governorates, including: Fuqu'a Village Council, represented by it's Mayor Mr. Barakat Al-Omari; Al-Lubban Al-Sharqiya Village Council, represented by Mr. Yacoub Oweisi; Qusra Municipality, represented by Mr. Abdalazim Odeh; Aqraba Municipality, represented by Mr. Salah Al-Din Jaber; Anabta Municipality, represented by Mr. Hamdallah Hamdallah; Habla Municipality, represented by Mr. Hamza Mardawi; Kafr Thulth Municipality, represented by Mr. Hassan Odeh; Tayasir Village Council, represented by Mr. Amer Dabek; Farkha Village Council, represented by Mr. Sadeq Sharif; Eizaria Municipality, represented by Mr. Yasser Khalaf; Al-Auja Municipality, represented by Mr. Hani Najoum; Kharbatha Bani Harith Village Council, represented by Mr. Abdul Jabbar Injass; Dura Municipality, represented by Mr. Muhannad Amro; Yatta Municipality, represented by Mr. Mohammad Abu Sabha; Surif Municipality, represented by Mr. Hazem Ghanimat; Al-Shuyukh Municipality, represented by Mr. Hassan Halaika; As-Samu Municipality, represented by Mr. Khalil Abu Awwad; and Beit Fajjar Municipality, represented by Mr. Sameeh Thawabteh.

In his remarks, newly elected APLA President Mr. Yousef Al-Jaabari expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the confidence placed in him by the members of the Executive Committee. He emphasized the importance of adopting a participatory approach in the coming period and highlighted APLA’s leading role at the national, regional, and international levels, particularly amid complex and challenging circumstances. He also expressed confidence that the unity of Palestinian LGUs through APLA would strengthen their collective ability to address the challenges facing the local governance sector in Palestine.

Former APLA President Mr. Abdalkarim Al-Zubaidi emphasized that the democratic approach adopted by APLA is a fundamental pillar of institutional work and an extension of the democratic principles reflected in LGU elections. He noted that this approach reinforces the principle of rotation of responsibilities and ensures the continuity of national efforts. He also congratulated the newly elected President, wishing him and the members of both the Executive and Administrative Committees success in carrying out their responsibilities and continuing their work to strengthen the role of LGUs and serve Palestine and its citizens.

For his part, APLA Executive Director Mr. Abdallah Anati stated that the election of the Administrative and Executive Committees and the allocation of their leadership positions mark an important institutional milestone, concluding a series of meetings held across the governorates in recent months. These meetings resulted in the selection of governorate representatives to the Administrative Committee, reflecting APLA’s participatory approach to governance and its commitment to strengthening its representation of Palestinian LGUs. He also commended the efforts of the former President and the members of the Administrative and Executive Committees, acknowledging their contributions to strengthening APLA’s standing and presence over the past years. He congratulated Mr. Yousef Al-Jaabari on his election, as well as the newly formed Administrative and Executive Committees, reaffirming that APLA will continue to fulfil its national and institutional mandate, guided by a clear vision that places the representation of LGUs, the defence of their rights and interests, and the enhancement of their powers at the core of its priorities.

During the meeting, Executive Director Mr. Anati delivered a presentation outlining APLA’s areas of work, organizational structure, committees and other bodies, programmes and projects, and international relations. He also presented the key features of the APLA’s MPP Programme for 2026–2029. The meeting further included the presentation of the financial statements and the auditors’ report as part of the APLA’s ongoing follow-up on its institutional, administrative, and financial affairs.

The completion of the formation of APLA’s Administrative and Executive Committees and the allocation of their leadership positions mark the culmination of an institutional and democratic process that began with the electoral meetings held across the governorates. This reflects the APLA’s commitment to the principles of good governance and democratic representation, while reinforcing its continuity and standing as the national umbrella representing Palestinian LGUs. APLA continues to serve as their unified voice in defending their rights and interests, developing their capacities, expanding cooperation and partnership opportunities at both the national and international levels, and strengthening their role in development and local governance.