Opinion: Marwan Barghouti's imprisonment is denying Palestinians a path to unity

Palestine is in a political deadlock, at the heart of which lies a longstanding and unresolved representation gap. 

The legitimacy of resistance against occupation cannot be denied. As a member of the Republican People’s Party, which organised Turkey’s War of Independence, I feel a deep connection to the Palestinian cause. 

But as with any political action, the issue of representation is crucial. In this regard, the lack of elections in Palestine since 2006 has led to a significant representation gap.

One of the main reasons for the cancellation of Palestinian elections planned for 2021 were fears that Israel would not allow voting in occupied East Jerusalem, thus violating the Oslo Accords.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) understandably viewed this as a violation of its sovereignty over a region that is an integral part of Palestine. One of the aims of Israel’s occupation and repression is to undermine the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause in the eyes of the world. 

Read more: Marwan Barghouti's imprisonment is denying Palestinians a path to unity