Episode 299 | Palestinian politics in search for new leadership

In this episode, Richard Pater speaks with Samer Sinijlawi about Palestinian politics. Sinijlawi outlines why he believes the recent Palestinian local elections were so significant and what the results reveal about public frustration with both Hamas and President Abbas. He outlines why reform is long overdue and must begin with a new democratic mandate. They also discuss Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, the need to rebuild Israeli-Palestinian trust. Samer Sinijlawi is a Palestinian political activist and the founding chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund. Born in the Old City of Jerusalem, he became politically active during the First Intifada and later emerged as a leading voice calling for Palestinian reform, democracy, and renewed engagement between Palestinian and Israeli moderates.