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National Coalition for Justice and Democracy
Palestinian political party From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The National Coalition for Justice and Democracy (Arabic: الائتلاف الوطني من أجل العدالة والديمقراطية, Al-I’tilaf al-Watani lil Adala wal Democratiya’ Wa’ad), also known as Wa'ad (Arabic: وعد, Promise)[2] was a Palestinian electoral list and political party that took part in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election.
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Eyad al-Sarraj. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2025. |
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History
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Perspective
The party was founded and led by a renowned Gazan psychiatrist Eyad El-Sarraj.[2] Eyad was also a consultant to the Palestinian delegation to the Camp David 2000 Summit. Prior to the 2006 election, Eyad spoke out against the human rights violations and use of torture by the Palestinian Authority, which led to his arrest in 1995.[3] Eyad also founded the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme.[4]
For the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, the National Coalition for Justice and Democracy was organized by a group of Israeli and Palestinian academics led by Eyad that worked towards a peace agreement. It was placed as the 7th list on the voting ballot.[5] The main platform of the party were security reforms, establishing the rule of the law and respect for human rights.[6] The party sought to challenge both the Israeli and Palestinian abuse.[7]
While Eyad was popular amongst Palestinians and was considered a father figure in Gaza, the independent party that he led did not match his popularity.[3] In January 2005, the party was polling 1% nationwide - 1% in the West Bank and Gaza each, and 3% in Jerusalem; it was most popular in Tulkarm, where it was polling 7%.[8] In late December 2005, shortly before the election, it polled 3% nationwide.[9] A week before the election, it polled around 2%.[5]
The party declared that if it surpassed the electoral threshold of 2%, it would work with any party that supported its program. The National Coalition for Justice and Democracy was critical of Fatah, stating that it had governed the Palestinian Authority "absolutely miserably in all aspects of life" and that it could only cooperate with Fatah legislators on an individual basis. The party was more welcoming towards Hamas, describing it as a "clean organization" while cautioning that it must commit itself to abandon terrorist acts and disarm its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. Speaking of Hamas, Eyad said: "Once they become part of the political community, there will be no tolerance for private militias."[5]
Ultimately, the National Coalition for Justice and Democracy won 1806 votes, which amounted to 0.18% of the popular vote.[10] Political commentators noted that the party's electoral failure was part of a larger pattern of parties that focused on socio-economic reforms and human rights heavily underperforming in the Palestinian election.[11] Nevertheless, the party praised the electoral process, stating that "it went extremely well" despite the voters' apprehension about the civility of Fatah and Hamas, and thanking all parties for abiding by the democratic process.[12] In a poll taken in June 2007, a year after the election, the National Coalition for Justice and Democracy polled 0.1% - including 0.2% in the West Bank.[13]
In 2011, the party praised the decision of the International Council of Human Rights’ to submit the “goldstones” report about the Israeli crimes in Gaza Strip to the International Security Council to discuss it and take action. In a joint statement with other Palestinian parties and organizations, the National Coalition for Justice and Democracy wrote that "this decision, although issued late, as an important step on the path of respecting Palestinians’ human rights; primarily their rights of security, living in stability and dignity on their land."[14] Eyad El-Sarraj died on 17 December 2013.[7]
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Ideology
The main goal of the National Coalition for Justice and Democracy was to reach a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. The platform of the party also stressed security reforms, establishing the rule of the law and respect for human rights as its main goals.[6] The party postulated the necessity of establishing 'law and order' in Palestine, which was to be achieved by restructuring and reforming the Palestinian security forces.[5] It sought to challenge both the Israeli and Palestinian violations of human rights.[7] It was described as a "leftist party of intellectuals" with "leftist beliefs" that argues for non-violent resistance.[1] It was also described as a moderate party,[15] and a nationalist one, together with Palestinian Justice and the Third Way.[16] It called for the implemention of Road map for peace outlined by the president of the United States George W. Bush, as well as a negotiated peace agreement that would establish an independent Palestinian state.[5]
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Electoral performance
Legislative Council
See also
References
External links
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