GPS

[Samer Sinijlawiسامر السنجلاوي @SSinijlawi]

Yesterday’s opening of the Fatah conference was not a celebration of Palestinian democracy. It was its funeral.
Mahmoud Abbas extended his rule over Fatah through applause — not through voting, competition, or democratic legitimacy. Among 2,540 conference members, not a single person dared to challenge him or nominate themselves against a 91-year-old leader entering his third decade in power.
Today, Palestinians are asked to applaud another carefully managed “election” for the Central Committee and Revolutionary Council — including the political rise of Abbas’s son, Yasser Abbas.
The real scandal is not only Palestinian authoritarianism. It is the shameful participation of Europe in legitimizing it.
European ambassadors stood there applauding. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised the conference by video. And several European parties sent messages of support. Europe — the continent that lectures the world about democracy, transparency, and human rights — became an active partner in endorsing corruption, fear, political stagnation, and dictatorship inside Palestinian politics.
Palestinians do not need more applause for aging rulers. We need free presidential and legislative elections. We need accountability. We need renewal.
What happened yesterday was not democracy. It was political theater sponsored by the international community.
@EUpalestinians @LTinRamallah @malta_ramallah @ConsuladoEspJer @BelgiumJRS @ItalyinJlem @EUinIsrael @AusRepPal @UKinJerusalem

[Samer Sinijlawiسامر السنجلاوي @SSinijlawi]

The attempt to turn Palestinian politics into a family inheritance is disconnected from the mood of Palestinian society.

After 20 years without national elections, Palestinians are demanding accountability, renewal, and new leadership — not political succession through bloodlines.

Even regional Arab leaders reportedly warned Mahmoud Abbas in the past against repeating the Mubarak model. History already showed how dangerous that path can become.

What shocks me again and again is that among roughly 2,500 members of the Fatah Conference, almost nobody would even dare to nominate themselves against Abbas for the presidency of the movement.

At 91 years old, Abbas may enter the record books as the oldest person ever to run for and be elected head of a mainstream political movement.

This is not only politically damaging inside Palestine. It also further erodes international confidence in the Palestinian political system at the very moment Palestinians desperately need legitimacy, reform, and democratic renewal.

The future of Palestinian leadership cannot be decided inside family circles. It must be decided by the Palestinian people through free national elections — both legislative and presidential.

[Tim Farron @timfarron]

This is like watching a painful and inevitable England batting collapse.

[Samer Sinijlawiسامر السنجلاوي @SSinijlawi]

Thank you to Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel⁠ for organizing this important meeting, and special thanks to Sir Edward Davey for his time, openness, and thoughtful discussion.
I was honored to represent the emerging Palestinian liberal democratic current ( the Palestinian Liberal Democratic party in the making) — a new generation of Palestinians seeking reform, democracy, coexistence, accountability, and a future free from corruption and extremism.
At the same time, as Palestinians who believe in peace and mutual dignity, we must speak clearly against the recent violence and antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish communities in the UK. Hatred against Jews does not advance the Palestinian cause; it only strengthens extremism and fear on all sides.
The future must belong to those building bridges — not those spreading hatred.

[Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel @_LDFI]

LDFI led this visit for @EdwardJDavey to Western Marble Arch Synagogue. As violent antisemitic attacks rise against British Jews & repeated hate marches pass this synagogue, its clear, the fear is real, but the message was also clear, the Jewish community are resilient and proud.

[Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel @_LDFI]

While it’s been a turbulent week for the UK Jewish community, LDFI continues to pursue peace in the Middle East. Today we introduced moderate Palestinian leader @SSinijlawi to @EdwardJDavey to discuss PA corruption, its suppression of dissent, and how we can all defeat extremism

[Ed Davey @EdwardJDavey]

It was deeply moving to visit Western Marble Arch Synagogue. Hearing the community’s concerns and fears amid rising antisemitism in the UK was sobering, but their strength and resolve are truly remarkable. We stand with you.

[Sarah Ludford 🇬🇧 🇮🇪🇪🇺 🇺🇦 @SarahLudford]

“This is what I want so many people, my friends & colleagues & readers who observe these incidents with merely passing distress, to understand. This isn’t just about the Jews & awful events in the Middle East. This is about Britain as we know it. This is about you, not just me.”

[Samer Sinijlawiسامر السنجلاوي @SSinijlawi]

For the first time in Gaza, power is transferred from Hamas to a newly elected municipal council in Deir al-Balah.
No declarations. No negotiations. Just a ballot box—and a handover.
While talks stall in Cairo, reality on the ground is moving faster.
Congratulations to Mayor Khalil Abu Samara and the new city council.
Proud to have supported one of the independent lists that is now part of this governing coalition.
Now it’s time to stand behind this new local leadership.
Their success is a success for all of us.
This is what change looks like.

[Munira Wilson 🇺🇦 @munirawilson]

It's incumbent on all of us, now more than ever, to tackle the scourge of antisemitism and all forms of hate. This has no place in our society. We need to listen, rebuild trust and act with urgency. 4/4

[Munira Wilson 🇺🇦 @munirawilson]

The growing division at the heart of our society, stoked by forces on the extremes of politics is deeply alarming. I've always been proud to live in a multicultural multi-faith city and country where we celebrate our differences. 3/4

[Munira Wilson 🇺🇦 @munirawilson]

Antisemitism is out of control in the UK. Yes, British Jews need greater protection. More money for security is needed and welcome. But as one Jewish friend and constituent wrote to me "ever higher walls are not good". Schools & synagogues should not have to be fortresses. 2/4

[Munira Wilson 🇺🇦 @munirawilson]

Just been on a bus through Golders Green, my childhood home. Seeing a heavy police presence and these familiar places on the news with alarming regularity due to the mindless violence and senseless hatred against Jews living in our country, makes me sick to the core. 1/4

[Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel @_LDFI]

👇

[Josh Babarinde OBE MP @JoshBabarinde]

An utterly outrageous attack on our Jewish community.

An unforgivable attack on the British way of live - you should be safe walking the streets, no matter your faith.

We must stand firmly against anti-semitism in all its forms.

Religious intolerance is not British.

[Israel Defense Forces @IDF]

A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.

The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future.

[GPS @gpstollar]

@Andy_PO16 I always drive

[Andy @Andy_PO16]

Portsmouth > Exeter > Portsmouth > Wigan > Portsmouth. 2 solo #lofc away days. 0 goals scored but huge positive 0 conceded. Thought we should have nicked both games, but another point towards safety it is. Up the Os 🔴⚽️ @OrientOutlook