لحظة ادراك

 There is no use in locking the stable door after the horse has bolted

Today, as officially announced, the Palestinian National Conference is set to commence in Doha, Qatar, with the participation of approximately 400 individuals. These attendees have appointed themselves for three consecutive days under broad slogans, clearly stating that they do not seek to replace the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), nor do they aim to form a party or institution. Instead, they present themselves as a national movement striving to rescue the PLO, rebuild it on national and democratic foundations, and establish a unified Palestinian leadership. This initiative is the result of a statement signed by 1,500 people from across Palestine and the diaspora, a document that has been in the making for several months.

Historically, the Palestinian political scene has witnessed similar phenomena, primarily centered in Damascus, often as part of the power struggle between the PLO leadership and the Syrian regime over control of the Palestinian issue. Various factions aligned with Damascus were mobilized as leverage to pressure Yasser Arafat into submission to Syria—a position in which he never felt secure or even truly included.

While such phenomena are not new, the latest version warrants thorough discussion and analysis to determine whether the organizers’ claims align with their real objectives. To reach an informed assessment, without resorting to accusations or inflammatory rhetoric, it is essential to examine key issues: the individuals behind the initiative, the political program they advocate, the mechanisms they propose for change, the host country’s role, and the timing of the event. This analysis is based on statements made by the conference organizers in various interviews:

• Profile of the Preparatory Committee

With all due respect to the figures involved, they are primarily ideological affiliates of a regional axis that has recently suffered a major setback. After three decades of operating from the opposition benches and promoting their bloc’s supposed victories in the media, this axis—comprising Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria, and Iran—has been dealt severe blows. The key figures behind this initiative have been staunch supporters of this axis, standing by it ideologically and championing its cause through every means available. However, the current reality has made the consequences of this alignment unmistakably clear.

• The Political Agenda of the Organizers

The organizers of this movement have historically opposed the political program of the PLO, first under Yasser Arafat and later under Mahmoud Abbas. Their stance has not only been critical but, at times, outright accusatory of treason. They have long positioned themselves as an alternative ideological force to the PLO’s vision. The crucial question now is whether their political agenda remains unchanged or if they have shifted towards accepting the two-state solution—the very solution advocated by the PLO, which has now become an increasingly distant aspiration amid major geopolitical shifts. Gaza’s rejectionist stance towards the PLO’s program is no longer viable, Hezbollah is no longer a decisive factor in strategic calculations, the Assad regime has faded into irrelevance, and the head of this regional axis is now scrambling for a formula that ensures its own survival.

• Alternative Mechanisms for Change

In the past, such movements justified their existence by outbidding others on key issues, such as right-wing versus left-wing policies, armed resistance versus political negotiation, and rejecting so-called "surrenderist" peace initiatives. Today, however, what alternative mechanisms do they propose? Many of the strategies they once condemned as treasonous and defeatist just months ago have suddenly become open for discussion—so long as they are implemented by the "alternative" leadership rather than the original architects of the Palestinian project. This suggests that the real struggle is not about ideological integrity but rather about competition for political power and control.

• The Venue: Why Qatar?

The functional role of Qatar in regional politics is no secret. Qatari officials have openly coordinated with the United States and Israel on previous occasions, particularly in facilitating financial support for Hamas under American and Israeli approval. Given this history, it is evident that Qatar cannot act freely in internal or external matters without prior authorization. Therefore, one must ask: Is this conference merely another American-Israeli pressure tactic against the PLO leadership to coerce further concessions and compromises?

• The Timing of the Conference

The current regional movements are unfolding in response to the aftershocks of the war in Gaza, its consequences, and its broader impact on the Middle East. The war has emboldened the Israeli government to push aggressively for annexation, displacement, and further settlement expansion. Meanwhile, the U.S. administration is not just supporting these policies but is actively competing to escalate them further. Amidst this shifting landscape, Arab states are seeking a unified Palestinian leadership to help formulate a coherent Arab response. It appears that Qatar, in an effort to weaken the official Palestinian stance and secure its own foothold, has facilitated this movement on its soil to serve that end.

• Conclusion

At this point, it is clear that this initiative aims to challenge the PLO’s exclusive representation of the Palestinian people. It lacks any semblance of restraint, and the ongoing Qatari efforts appear to be a rebranding of Hamas and its realigned alliances—attempting to reintroduce them into the Palestinian political scene as though nothing has changed. Qatar is now attempting to absolve itself of its role in harming the Palestinian cause, dressing up the same old actors in a new guise while ensuring its continued influence over Palestinian affairs through updated channels.

However, the Palestinian people must remain fully aware of the political maneuvers surrounding them, and the Palestinian leadership must raise its voice to name and confront these forces directly. The situation has reached a critical point—there is no more room for ambiguity. The ruling family of Qatar, from the days of Hamad bin Khalifa to its current leadership, has proven to be a source of instability for Palestinians and their cause. To avoid repeating the disastrous experience of Syria’s Assad regime, the only viable course of action is a decisive break with Qatar—without hesitation—until its interference in Palestinian affairs is brought to a definitive end.