• The people of Al Baqa'a camp and Ain Al Basha's District, along with their leaders, are calling on political parties to intensify their efforts to connect with local communities and to clearly articulate their positions and perspectives on the current developments in the Palestinian cause.

With the participation of over 130 leaders and activists from Al Baqa'a Camp and Ain Al Basha District, Al Quds Center for Political Studies organized a workshop in the hall of the Camp Services Committee under the title: "Political Participation is our Way to Strengthen Jordan and Support Palestine." The workshop featured Dr. Rawan Al Hiyari, Assistant Secretary-General of the Partisan Culture Wing in the National Charter Party; Mr. Sameer Oweis, President of the Central Bureau in the Civic Democratic Party; and Mr. Oraib Al Rantawi, Director-General of Al Quds Center for Political Studies.

In her intervention, Al Hiyari discussed the impact of the Gaza war on regional and international levels, including the increasing challenges facing the world due to changes in centers of power. She underlined that addressing these challenges requires capacity building and strengthening of the internal front. Moreover, she emphasized the necessity of each party fulfilling its role,in order to preserve the social fabric and cohesion of society.

Al Hiyari also highlighted the importance of political awareness as a means to achieve political maturity and to empower society politically, enabling them to capably choose their representatives in parliament. This is particularly relevant as the selection process, in the context of political modernization, should be based on the programs proposed by the parties and their feasibility. She concluded by emphasizing the need to focus on programs that promote self-reliance, modernization, and the preservation of national security.

On his part, Mr. Sameer Oweis emphasized that preserving and strengthening Jordan requires embracing the path of democracy and civic values. He further highlighted that the push for political modernization stems from a deficit in democracy, along with the economic and life challenges faced by citizens. He explained that addressing these challenges necessitates democratic and political modernization, asserting that economic change is dependent on political reform.

Mr. Oweis also noted that political modernization has advanced through royal initiatives, most notably through the discussion papers addressing various aspects of it. He emphasized the importance of engaging with political parties and selecting representatives based on their programs rather than on their personalities. This approach, he argued, contributes to strengthening the supervisory role of representatives over the government. He concluded by highlighting the importance of the relations between Jordan and Palestine and the necessity of addressing them in a civic manner.

In his speech, Mr. Oraib Al Rantawi explained that there are two prominent images in Gaza: the first is represented by the humanitarian disaster caused by the aggression on Gaza, and the second is the image of resilience and the defeat of the army that had claimed for many years to be invincible.
Mr. Al Rantawi addressed the Israeli threats looming over Jordan from the Israeli side, pointing to Israeli documents being circulated that show Israeli ambitions in the West Bank and the efforts to displace Palestinians to Jordan. This includes Netanyahu's calls for the dismantling of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the elimination of the right of return. In this context, Al Rantawi mentioned that the Nakba was not just about the loss of land but also about displacement.

Regarding the Jordanian role, Al Rantawi pointed out the importance of strengthening the internal front through active participation in the parliamentary elections, that would support and reinforce Jordan's steadfast positions and enhance the effectiveness of public opinion. He emphasized the importance of not tampering with the internal front and blocking any practices that could affect it. Al Rantawi also called on the youth to actively participate in expressing their positions towards what is happening in Gaza through political parties and various available frameworks, thereby strengthening and highlighting their role. Additionally, he stressed the necessity for Jordan to expand its regional and international relations to confront the existential threat that Israel poses to Jordan.

The interventions of the participants focused on the importance of enhancing the media's role in clarifying the developments imposed by the war on Gaza and the Al Aqsa Flood operation, as the media plays a significant role in raising awareness in this regard. The participants also urged political parties to expand the scope of their activities and to reach out to local communities to fulfill their educational role, aiming to stimulate participation and engagement within the parties. They highlighted the necessity for political parties to clarify and develop their vision regarding the situation in Gaza and the region. Additionally, the participants discussed the reality of Jordan's role in achieving Palestinian reconciliation, calling for increased Jordanian efforts in this area, and affirming the uniqueness of Jordan's role in the Palestinian cause, considering it Jordan's foremost cause.

The workshop was opened and managed by the President of Al Baqa’a Camp Services Committee, Dr. Hassan Marshood, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of political participation in its various forms, including participation in elections, due to its role in enhancing citizens' contribution to decision-making and public affairs administration. He pointed to the role of the election and political party laws in stimulating political pluralism, insisting on the importance of always emphasizing the national interest by all parties, and affirming the centrality of the Palestinian cause for Jordan, as it is the main factor in achieving stability in the region.