Visit to Doha, Occupied East Jerusalem, and the West Bank 13–26 November 2024
Oliver McTernan and Jordan Morgan recently visited the Occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Doha to engage with a range of Palestinian leaders and Ministers in the technocratic government. The visit focused on urgent priorities for Gaza’s post-war restructuring and broader challenges affecting Palestinian communities.
Meetings in Doha
On 13 and 14 November, Forward Thinking met with key leaders from the Palestinian Islamic Movement to explore Qatar’s evolving role in conflict mediation within the Israeli-Palestinian context. Discussions addressed Qatar’s recent decision to suspend its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas and the potential challenges as a result. These meetings offered valuable insights into the complexities of conflict mediation and the challenges of fostering dialogue amidst escalating tensions. Forward Thinking remains dedicated to supporting constructive engagement in the region.
Key Meetings with Ministers in Ramallah
Discussions with key Ministers in Ramallah centred on identifying critical areas of support for addressing the pressing health, economic, and legal needs of Gaza’s traumatised population. Meetings took place with Dr Majed Abu Ramadan, Minister of Health (Ramallah, 24 November 2024); Dr Enas Attari, Minister of Labour (Ramallah, 24 November 2024); Sharhabeel Al Za’em, Minister of Justice (Amman, 21 November 2024).
Oliver and Jordan with Dr Majed Abu Ramadan, Minister of Health, in Ramallah.
Visit to Nablus
On 22 November, Oliver and Jordan visited Nablus and met with Dr Sameer Abu Eisheh and Dr Nasser Al Shaer. Discussions highlighted the growing impact of Israeli settler violence and Israeli military operations, especially near newly established settlement outposts. These communities face intensified attacks and restricted access to their lands, with many incidents tied to the olive harvest—a vital season for Palestinian livelihoods.
The discussions also touched on the implications of the recent election of President Trump, frustrations among young Palestinians, the state of Palestinian political leadership, and broader societal hopes and fears.
The road to Nablus.
Engagements with Senior Political Leaders and Youth
The Forward Thinking team also met with prominent Palestinian leaders and youth activists to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Palestinian communities: Dr Mustafa Barghouti (24 November 2024), leader of the Palestinian National Initiative and a renowned advocate for nonviolent resistance and sustainable development; Dr Sabri Saidam (25 November 2024), former Minister of Education and a champion of education reform and youth empowerment; Arab Barghouti son of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti (24 November 2024).
Meetings in Occupied East Jerusalem
Oliver and Jordan also met with Dr Mahdi Abdul Hadi and Deniz Altayli at PASSIA to discuss key regional issues, including the situation on the Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount, broader regional challenges, and Palestinian perspectives on the conflict.
The conversation explored the sensitive dynamics surrounding the Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount and its importance as a focal point for regional tensions. Broader challenges, including the evolving political landscape and its impact on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, were also discussed.
They also met with Samer Sinijlawi (26 November 2024), a Palestinian political activist, to discuss his perspectives on ongoing developments in the region.
Commitment to Dialogue and Collaboration
Forward Thinking continues to prioritise inclusive engagement with diverse stakeholders across the region to foster dialogue, promote collaboration, and deepen understanding of the challenges facing Palestinian communities.