Introduction to the
Constitution
The
Essential Principles of the Constitution
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Dear brother, comrade of the struggle:
This movement is a patriotic and historical responsibility
which we all must shoulder honestly... And let's inspire all
those who are faithful to Palestine with this concerted,
patriotic deed... We all must confront critical times, and
tolerate mishaps patiently... We all must sacrifice ourselves,
our effort and time; these are the weapons of honest patriots.
Don't, therefore, dear brother bring your march to a
halt!
Proceed in your march, armed with the patriots' resolution,
the true believers' determination, and the fighters' patience...
Our people are in need of every second after our case has taken
that long... Let's not forget for a while that our enemy is
strong, and that the fight is fierceful [sic] and long... Consequently,
determination, patience, confidentiality, commitment, and abiding
by the revolution's goals and principles keep our march
unremittingly steady and makes our road to victory much shorter.
Proceed, then my brother, forward... to the
revolution.
Long live Palestine, a free Arab state.
'FATEH'
Introduction to
the Constitution
The significance of this constitution stems from its being an
application of the principles of our struggle, the pedestal of
the Movement. It is also an expression of the Movement's
conception of its relationships with other movements and
organisations, as it is the disciplinary framework which dictates
and organises the relationships among its members in a way that
maintains its path and the revolution's future.
This
constitution revolves around the following principles:
1. The armed revolution we are waging has been set into orbit
by the principle that it is a public revolution, and not one of a
distinguished class, and that the public is capable of practising
struggle efficiently and conscientiously. The public is also the
true protector of the revolutionary organisation. This
organisation has satisfied the intimate relationship between the
revolution and the public via the hierarchical structure of the
Movement in which the public constitutes its solid, wide base.
With this view of the public's role in mind, the role of the
organised base in the Movement is crystallised. The Movement is
in close contact with the public, sharing their cares and worries
and inspired by their aspirations. The public is, therefore, the
sole source of authorities and the sole, honest guardian of the
Movement. It is also the only party authorised to take decisive
decisions, and to elect the leadership at all levels. This takes
place through direct election at varying levels due to
maintaining secrecy, and because of the state of geographical
dispersion suffered by our Palestinian people.
2. The elected leadership assumes its responsibilities on the
basis of the democratic centrality principle which warrants
commitment of the lower ranks to the higher ranks' decisions. The
leadership is, in turn, held accountable to its conferences and
councils. Higher leaderships assume a pivotal responsibility
which embodies the utter unity of the organisation in different
districts and institutions.
3. The Movement encourages freedom of expression and criticism
within the disciplinary frameworks. This is a sacred right for
all members, and no authority can deny them it. Any view or
criticism within the disciplinary principles should not be taken
as an indictment against a member afterwards. Free expression is
the only guarantee to prevent the leaderships from committing
mistakes or going astray, and it is the only effective method to
convey the public opinion via the different bases to the
Movement's leaderships.
4. The Movement firmly believes in self-criticism by all
members in general and by those in authority in particular. This
is important in order to attain the goal of free criticism and
expression, to put an end to continual erring, and to spell out
readiness to benefit from public and self criticism. By so doing,
the Movement's experience will be very much developed and its
path will be made much clearer.
5. In its determination on liberation and bringing about
historical social changes, the Movement attempts to launch the
revolutionary moral values which are on a bar with our struggle,
and to create the feeling of human dignity. To this effect, the
Movement tries to liberate the individual from all social ills,
especially the discrimination women face, the thing that hinders
their potentials and effective contributions at all disciplinary
levels. This entails that the relationships among members be
objective and based on the Movement's principles and
constitutions. Relationships based on personal interests have no
place whatsoever. The Movement, consequently, treats all members
on equal footing as far as their essential obligations are
concerned, and it offers equal opportunity to all faithful and
active members to occupy leading positions. And while it is keen
on maintaining its path, it is keen as well to get an utmost
benefit from its experiences to enrich its ideology and develop
its infrastructure.
6. Through its struggle, the Movement endeavours to mobilise
the public in order to gain the necessary support. This task
should be handled by its members. It, therefore, spares no effort
to make its members set examples for others to attract the public
and consolidate their faith in and loyalty to the revolutionary
organisation. As a result, the member has to lead a revolutionary
and exemplary life which is based on loyalty, discipline,
credibility, modesty, self-denial and altruism. At the same time,
he must demonstrate the highest degree of pride, rejection of
reality and conformity to the Movement's principles.
The
Essential Principles of the Constitution
1. 'FATEH' is a national,
revolutionary movement and its membership is top confidential.
2. The Revolution is for all the people who actively
participate in it, and the Movement is its leading revolutionary
organisation, and hence it is the organisational force and its
sole proprietor which has the right to direct its orientation.
3. The Movement constitutes one unified body which has one
leadership. The rights, obligations and responsibilities are
equally distributed among its members according to the Movement's
principles and laws.
4. Collective leadership is the sole method of the Movement.
This implies the following:
a. Democracy is the basis of discussion, investigation and
decision-taking at all organisational levels.
b. Democratic centrality is the basis of handling
responsibilities, and this involves concerted work, thinking and
political participation in the Movement.
c. Criticism and self-criticism are the basis of
rectification, and punishment is not an end in itself but a means
for assessment and development.
d. The minority must conform to the majority's view, and those
in lower ranks have to abide by the decisions of those in higher
ranks in order to achieve discipline and unified organisation
which should have a unified vision, ideology and practice.
e. The Movement firmly believes in sacred membership and
freedom of the individual, and rejects vengeance, as it firmly
believes in the right of any citizen to participate in the
Revolution and totally rejects nullifying this right unless it
can be a hazard that threatens the Movement's process and
security.
CHAPTER
ONE
Principles... Goals....
Methods
The
Movement's Essential Principles
Article (1) Palestine is part of the Arab
World, and the Palestinian people are part of the Arab Nation,
and their struggle is part of its struggle.
Article (2) The Palestinian people have an
independent identity. They are the sole authority that decides
their own destiny, and they have complete sovereignty on all
their lands.
Article (3) The Palestinian Revolution plays
a leading role in liberating Palestine.
Article (4) The Palestinian struggle is part
and parcel of the world-wide struggle against Zionism,
colonialism and international imperialism.
Article (5) Liberating Palestine is a
national obligation which necessities the materialistic and human
support of the Arab Nation.
Article (6) UN projects, accords and reso, or
those of any individual cowhich undermine the Palestinian
people's right in their homeland are illegal and rejected.
Article (7) The Zionist Movement is racial,
colonial and aggressive in ideology, goals, organisation and
method.
Article (8) The Israeli existence in
Palestine is a Zionist invasion with a colonial expansive base,
and it is a natural ally to colonialism and international
imperialism.
Article (9) Liberating Palestine and
protecting its holy places is an Arab, religious and human
obligation.
Article (10) Palestinian National Liberation
Movement, 'FATEH', is an independent
national revolutionary movement representing the revolutionary
vanguard of the Palestinian people.
Article (11) The crowds which participate in
the revolution and liberation are the proprietors of the
Palestinian land.
Goals
Article (12) Complete liberation of
Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political,
military and cultural existence.
Article (13) Establishing an independent
democratic state with complete sovereignty on all Palestinian
lands, and Jerusalem is its capital city, and protecting the
citizens' legal and equal rights without any racial or religious
discrimination.
Article (14) Setting up a progressive society
that warrants people's rights and their public freedom.
Article (15) Active participation in
achieving the Arab Nation's goals in liberation and building an
independent, progressive and united Arab society.
Article (16) Backing up all oppressed people
in their struggle for liberation and self-determination in order
to build a just, international peace.
Method
Article (17) Armed public revolution is the
inevitable method to liberating Palestine.
Article (18) Entire dependence on the
Palestinian people which is the pedestal forefront and on the
Arab Nation as a partner in the fight, and realising actual
interaction between the Arab Nation and the Palestinian people by
involving the Arab people in the fight through a united Arab
front.
Article (19) Armed struggle is a strategy and
not a tactic, and the Palestinian Arab People's armed revolution
is a decisive factor in the liberation fight and in uprooting the
Zionist existence, and this struggle will not cease unless the
Zionist state is demolished and Palestine is completely
liberated.
Article (20) Achieving mutual understanding
with all the national forces participating in the armed struggle
to attain the national unity.
Article (21) Revealing the revolutionary
nature of the Palestinian identity at the international level,
and this does not contradict the everlasting unity between the
Arab Nation and the Palestinian people.
Article (22) Opposing any political solution
offered as an alternative to demolishing the Zionist occupation
in Palestine, as well as any project intended to liquidate the
Palestinian case or impose any international mandate on its
people.
Article (23) Maintaining relations with Arab
countries with the objective of developing the positive aspects
in their attitudes with the proviso that the armed struggle is
not negatively affected.
Article (24) Maintaining relations with all
liberal forces supporting our just struggle in order to resist
together Zionism and imperialism.
Article (25) Convincing concerned countries
in the world to prevent Jewish immigration to Palestine as a
method of solving the problem.
Article (26) Avoiding attempts to exploit the
Palestinian case in any Arab or international problems and
considering the case above all contentions.
Article (27) 'FATEH'
does not interfere with local Arab affairs and hence, does not
tolerate such interference or obstructing its struggle by any
party.
CHAPTER
TWO
Organisational
Rules and Principles
Commitment ... Discipline ...
Centrality... Democracy...
Public and Self-Criticism
In its organisational work, the Movement depends on the
following rules and principles:
First: Commitment. This means:
Article (28) a. Firm belief in the case and
the Movement's objectives and utter readiness to sacrifice for
its sake till victory.
b. Complete adherence to the Movement's political line.
c. Complete conformity to the Movement's political program and
to the decisions of its conferences and constitutions.
d. Complete commitment to the Movement's decisions and
defending its attitudes.
Second: Discipline. This means:
Article (29) a. Abiding by the terms of the
essential constitution and its organisational regulations,
b. Conforming to the organisational decisions of the leading
committees,
c. Carrying out the orders meticulously and enthusiastically,
and adherence of lower ranking members to the decisions, orders
and guidance of higher ranking members,
d. Abstaining from negotiating internal issues outside
organisational sessions and the Movement frameworks,
e. Abstaining from making individual decisions or taking
temperamental attitudes, and
f. Adherence to organisational hierarchy.
Third: Central Democracy: This means
Article (30) a. Central planning, leadership
and surveillance, but not central execution, freedom of
discussion and the right of participating in making decisions and
recommendations within the organisational frameworks.
b. Realising democratic centrality by adopting the following
organisational methods:
1. Electing leaderships through the conferences outlined in article:
42, items: d and e; article: 52; article:
65, item: e; article: 83, item: d,
2. Practising collective leadership,
3. Adherence of the minority to the majority's view,
4. Adherence of lower ranking members to the higher ranking
members' decisions,
5. Freedom of discussion and right of participation within the
organisational frameworks,
6. Submitting reports to the electors about the leaderships'
activities at every session, and
7. Periodic reporting to higher units about all the activities
carried out by lower units.
Fourth: Public and Self-Criticism:
Article (31) This is one of the cornerstones
according to which the revolutionary practices are evaluated in
order to emphasise their positive results and circumvent their
negative effects. This equally warrants the Movement's faultless
process and the practice of public and self-criticism by all
members and leaderships within the organisational frameworks.
Fifth: Organisational rules and principles are
realised by the following methods:
Article (32) 1. When convened, the Movement's
conferences (General Conference, District Conference, Region
Conference) are the highest leading authority, each according to
its speciality and jurisdictions outlined in the constitution.
And they have the sole authority to elect the leading committees,
plan their activities, and observe and question their practices.
2. Practising collective leadership via the committees' work,
for each committee from top to bottom has to undertake its tasks
on the basis of its being a complementary unit collaborating with
other units in assuming its responsibilities, and that all issues
must be rationally discussed through the committees and units and
that all decisions must be taken in light of the legal majority.
3. The leaderships should conform to the conferences and the
lower ranks to the higher ranks.
4. Achieving equality among members by their adherence to the
Movement's essential constitution, regulations and decisions, and
considering competence, faithfulness and sacrifice as the
criteria for judging members and climbing the organisational
ladder.
CHAPTER
THREE
Membership
Types... Requirements... Obtaining...
Rights... Continuity
Article (33) a. The Movement's membership is
a right for every Palestinian or Arab who possesses the necessary
requirements, firmly believes in liberating Palestine, and
demonstrates utter commitment to the Movement's essential
constitution, political program, regulations and its political
and organisational decisions.
b. Membership can be granted to a friend who has decided to be
committed to the Movement according to a decision by the Central
Committee.
Types
of Membership
Article (34) There are three categories of
membership:
1. Full member:
a. This is the membewho has successfully completed the trial
period, and is accordingly assignas a supporter. His membership
as an active member is confirmed by a decision of the Regional
Committee or upon nomination by the leading organisational
frameworks in the central authorities and upon consent of the
Mobilisation and organisation office.
2. Military member: is one who has a revolutionary record.
This is a member of the special organisational wing (Asifa)
according to a special regulation offered by the Central
Committee and verified by the Revolutionary Council.
b. Organiser: is one who obtains membership by a direct decree
of the Central Committee, and he does not climb the
organisational ladder. Once he is converted into an active
member, his membership should not exceed the District Committee.
c. Supporter: is one who is nominated to join the Movement and
his membership is subject to the following conditions:
1. He should meet the membership requirements outlined in Article
(35) except item (g) concerning the oath,
2. He should be recommended by two members who have joined the
Movement for at least two years,
3. He should successfully pass a six-month trial and
preparatory period during which he has to grasp the theoretical
principles of the Movement and should enthusiastically perform
his assignments. This equally applies to serving in the
'Asifa' forces.
Requirements
of Membership
Article (35) A member in the Movement should meet the
following requirements:
a. He must not be below 17 years of age; cadets, flowers and
youth have special membership regulations,
b. He must have good reputation and national credibility,
c. He must respect the people and their traditions, serve them
and protect their interests and security,
d. He must be independent, not committed to any other
organisation or party,
e. He must have leading qualifications and demonstrate a
reasonable amount of awareness and ability to assume
responsibility, and have an amicable personality,
f. He must have sufficient readiness to sacrifice, self-denial
and altruism,
g. He must take the following oath:
(By Allah, the almighty and by my honour and beliefs I swear
to remain faithful to Palestine, and to spare no effort to
liberate it; I swear not to disclose any of the Movement's (FATEH)
secrets and affairs; this is a free oath, to which God bears
witness.)
Obtaining
Membership
Article (36) Members are accepted in the
Movement on an individual basis according to their competence and
readiness to work and sacrifice.
Rights of
Membership
Article (37) The Movement's member has the
following rights:
a. To enjoy all the rights cited in this constitution,
b. To have the same and equal rights and obligations as all
other members,
c. To climb the organisational ladder according to the terms
of this constitution and on the basis of competence, efficiency
and faithfulness,
d. To have complete freedom of criticism, objection, protest,
discussion, negotiation and inquiry only within the
organisational sessions,
e. To criticise and cross-question any leading member within
the organisational hierarchy,
f. If accused or cross-questioned, to defend himself in front
of the leading committees and authorities, as well as
surveillance and investigation committees,
g. To get a written reply for his queries in a month's time at
the latest,
h. To enjoy protection, viz. he should not be fired, neglected
or frozen unless he is tried and convicted by one of the
Movement's courts,
i. To have the right to meet high leaderships including the
Central Committee if the need arises, and
j. To have an organisational rank unless serving an
organisational punishment, and his organisational ranks should
appear in his record since his admission into the Movement as an
active member.
Obligations
of Membership
Article (38) The Movement's member has to
undertake the following obligations:
a. Constant and unrelenting struggle to achieve the Movement's
principles and goals,
b. Complete commitment to and application of the Movement's
political line and program,
c. Application of the political constitution and carrying out
all decisions conscientiously and meticulously,
d. Maintaining the Movement's organisational and ideological
unity, and opposing all factions,
e. Constant and studious work to theoretically and practically
elevate his education and experience,
f. Attending all meetings and paying subscriptions regularly,
g. Setting an example in altruism, courage, faithfulness,
sacrifice, patience, perseverance and self-denial,
h. Continual work to maintain strong relationships with the
public and to win their respect and confidence, and to constantly
disseminate the Movement's principles and to consolidate the
public's relationships with them,
i. Practising public and self-criticism, and playing an active
role in the organisational sessions and in the public and
organisational work,
j. Constant alertness concerning the enemy's activities and
the Revolution's opposing forces,
k. Keeping the Movement's secrets at the individual, committee
and formation levels, and utilising appropriate confidential
methods in his work,
1. Maintaining a uniform method in work, and renouncing all
individual and temperamental ones,
m. Adhering to the organisational hierarchy, and respecting
the decisions of higher committees,
n. Fighting personal deceit, laziness, and temperatmental
relaxation as well as all harmful practices,
o. Serving the public conscientiously and faithfully, and
p. Being ready to carry out the Movement's orders to fulfil
his revolutionary obligations as required.
Continuity,
Suspension and Cancellation of Membership
Article (39) a. Membership continues as long
as the member continues to fulfil his tasks and obligations,
b. Membership is suspended if the member stops to fulfil his
tasks for three consecutive months without reasonable any excuse,
or if the member requests that. Membership cannot be resumed
without a decision by the District Committee for district members
or by the Central Committee for others,
c. Membership is cancelled if a decision to this effect is
taken by the concerned committee as a result of some behavioural,
political or organisational violation which entails this and
determines the authority entitled to cancel the membership
according to the penalty system.
The
General Conference
Article (40) The Movement's general
conference is made up of:
a. Members of the Revolutionary Council,
b. 11 district representatives elected in the district
conferences according to the number of areas meeting the
requirements cited in this constitution and endorsed by the
Mobilisation and organisation Office.
c. 11 representatives of the districts whose conferences
cannot be convened for security purposes or failing to have
quorum; such conditions are decided by the Central Committee.
Those representatives are selected upon recommendation by the
Mobilisation and Organisation Office to the Central Committee
according to the organisational population.
d. District commissioners whose membership has lasted for at
least ten years, and who have been appointed by a decree from the
Central Committee.
e. Members of the General Military Council in the Palestinian
National Liberation Army, especially 'Asifa' forces,
whose set-up is outlined in the regulation appended to this
constitution, and according to the decisions of the third and
fourth conferences. In addition, at most 20 distinguished persons
from those military forces should be nominated by the General
Leadership and endorsed by the Central Committee, with the
proviso that they in all should not exceed 514 of the entire
population of the conference.
f. 75 'FATEH' members who are
assigned duties in various departments in the independent State
of Palestine and Palestine Liberation Organisation and other
national and international organisations. Their membership should
be through their organisational units and upon nomination by the
Mobilisation and Organisation Office and ratified by the Central
Committee. Their membership should not be below a district
committee member.
g. 50 Members public organisations recommended by the Movement
central offices and confirmed by the MobilOrganisation Office and
by a decree from the Central Committee. Their membership should
not be below a district committee member.
h. 75 members of the leading bodies of central panels
according to their regulations attached to this constitution.
Their membership should not be below a district committee member.
i. 30 representatives of the Movement's members with the
proviso that their membership is not below a district committee
member.
Article (41) Requirements of the Conference Membership:
a. Membership in the General Conference has a representative
nature as spelled out in article (40).
b. A member in the conference should have a five-year active
membership in the Movement.
c. He should have a clean record.
Article (42) Conference Jurisdictions
When convened, the conference is the highest authority, and it
is entitled to perform the following tasks:
a. Discussing the reports, decisions and duties of the Central
Committee, and the activities of the Movement departments and
institutions,
b. Endorsing the essential constitution and making any
necessary modifications upon recommendation by two thirds of the
present members,
c. Confirming the Movement constitutional regulations, and the
political and military programs and plans,
d. Electing the members of the Central Committee by secret
voting,
e. Vote of no confidence for all or some members of the
Central Committee upon recommendation by two thirds of the
present members,
f. Electing the Head of the Financial Supervision Committee
and the Head of the Movement Supervision Committee, and
protecting membership with the proviso they meet the requirements
of the Revolutionary Council membership, and
g. Electing the required number for the Revolutionary Council
by secret voting.
Article (43) Holding the Conference
a. The Central Committee calls for a regular session once
every five years, and the meeting can however be put off for
exceptional circumstances by a Revolutionary Council decision.
b. Upon receiving the invitation, the conference holds an
unusual session within two weeks at the latest if more than two
thirds of the Revolutionary Council members deem it necessary or
upon request by the Central Committee. The agenda should include
the topics that necessitated the session.
c. Sessions are deemed legal if two thirds of the members are
present, provided that all members have been informed in writing
two weeks prior to the meeting. If quorum is not maintained, the
meeting will be put off two days, and then convened if more than
half of the members are present.
The
General Council
Article (44) The General Council is made up
of no more than 250 members of the General Conference according
to the following:
a. Members of the Central Committee and the Revolutionary
Council,
b. A number of district commissioners and organisational
leaderships,
c. A number of military leaderships,
d. A number of the Movement's members,
e. A number of the Movement's members working in the
Organisation department,
f. A number of public leaderships, and
g. A number of the Movement's efficient members.
Article (45) The number of members in the
previous article is determined by a Central
Committee's decision which has to be endorsed by the
Revolutionary Council.
Article (46) The General Council has the
jurisdictions of an exceptional general conference according to a
special system suggested by the Revolutionary Council.
Article (47) The General Council is held upon
a decision of the Central Committee and approval of the
Revolutionary Council which prepares the agenda.
The
Revolutionary Council
Article (48) The Revolutionary Council
constitutes the following:
a. Members of the Central Committee,
b. Head of the Financial Supervision Committee and Head of the
Movement Supervision and Membership Protection Committee,
c. 50 members elected by the General Conference from its
members provided that each member has 30% of the electors' votes,
d. At most 20 members representing the Military Council of
'FATEH' according to the special
charter of 'Asifa',
e. At most 15 highly competent persons selected by two thirds
of the Central Committee members,
f. A number of the leaderships in the occupied territories,
not part of the quorum, and nominated by the Revolutionary
Council,
g. 5 members from other territories who are part of the quorum
when attending the meetings, nominated by two thirds of the
Central Committee members, and
h. At most 15 controllers from the Movement's competent
members, nominated by the Central Committee and endorsed by the
Revolutionary Council.
Article (49) A nominee for the Revolutionary
Council has to have been a district committee member or a member
of other equivalent forces and institutions for at least 10
consecutive years.
Article (50) Jurisdictions:
When convened between two sessions of the General Conference,
the Revolutionary Council is the highest authority in the
Movement. Its jurisdictions are:
a. Following up and executing of the General Conference
decisions,
b. Monitoring the operation of the central departments and the
Movement's conditions in different districts,
c. Monitoring the Movement military affairs which do not run
counter to top confidentiality,
d. Discussing the Central Committee's decisions, operations
and reports, and taking appropriate decisions accordingly,
e. Adequately interpreting the terms and regulations of the
essential charter in case a dispute in this respect arises,
f. Electing members of the Financial Supervision Committee and
those of the Movement Supervision Committee via secret voting
within six months at the latest, and
g. Discussing the reports of the committees emanating from the
General Conference and taking appropriate decisions in this
respect.
Article (51) At the beginning of its session,
the Revolutionary Council elects from among its members a
secretariat consisting of a secretary and two deputies via secret
voting. The secretary should be a full-timer and should not be a
member of the Central Committee.
Article (52) The Revolutionary Council
devises its bylaw which is approved by the majority of members.
Article (53) In case quorum is not maintained
in the Central Committee, the Revolutionary Council is called to
meet within two weeks to elect two thirds of its members by
secret voting in order to maintain quorum.
Article (54) If vacancies in the Central
Committee are not occupied within three months, the Revolutionary
Council is called to an emergency session during which vacancies
are occupied by its members through secret voting, provided that
each candidate should be elected by absolute majority.
Article (55) Vacancies in the Revolutionary
Council are occupied by competent members who meet the
requirements of the Revolutionary Council membership.
Article (56) The Revolutionary Council is
entitled to fire or freeze one or more offending members of the
Central Committee, and this is decided by two thirds of the
members provided that the number of fired or frozen members does
not exceed one third.
Article (57) The Revolutionary Council is
entitled to fire or freeze one or more of its members if an
offence is committed, and this is decided by the majority of two
thirds of its members.
Article (58) The Revolutionary Council holds
regular sessions once every three months upon an invitation by
its secretary, and it can hold exceptional sessions upon a
decision by the Central Committee or a written request addressed
to its secretary by two thirds of its members.
Article (59) Quorum is maintained if two
thirds of the Revolutionary Council members are present provided
that they have been officially notified three days prior to the
meeting, and if quorum is not maintained the Council will convene
by absolute majority 24 hours after the set date.
Article (60) Decisions of the Council are
made by the absolute majority of the present members except in
cases otherwise stated, and voting is by raising hands unless the
Council decides otherwise.
The
Financial Supervision Committee and the Movement
Supervision
and Membership Protection Committee
Article (61) Heads of these committees are
elected directly by the Conference upon nominating some of the
candidates by the Central Committee.
Article (62) A special charter for each
committee is devised and is endorsed by the Revolutionary Council
in its first session after submitting it.
The
Central Committee
Article (63) a. The Central Committee is made
up of 21 members as follows:
1. 18 members from the Conference elected by secret voting.
2. 3 members appointed by the Central Committee provided that
they get two thirds of the votes.
3. An additional number of the occupied territories
leaderships, not part of the quorum, nominated determined by the
Revolutionary Council.
b. The Central Committee selects a political office from its
members with the proviso that they do not exceed 11 members.
c. The Central Committee determines the jurisdictions of the
political office in its internal charter.
d. All members of the Central Committee have equal rights,
obligations and responsibilities.
e. The Commander-in-Chief chairs the Central Committee
meetings and runs its sessions' in accordance with the
regulations of its internal charter.
Article (64) The Central Committee selects a
secretary and two deputies from its members.
Article (65) A candidate to the Central
Committee should have been a member in the Movement for at least
15 consecutive years, and he should have served as a secretary of
a district committee or any equivalent job in the departments and
forces, and he should obtain 49% of the votes.
Article (66) The Central Committee convenes
at least once a month to discuss the performance of all Movement
departments and issue the necessary decisions and
recommendations. Each of its members should be responsible for
what he has been practising during the period between meetings.
Exceptional sessions can be convened when the need arises.
Article (67) The Central Committee is
unanimously in charge of all the Movement's activities.
Article (68) Quorum is maintained if two
thirds of the members are present, and once this is impossible,
the meeting holds if half + one of the members attend 24 hours
after the assigned date.
Article (69) Decisions of the Central
Committee are taken by absolute majority unless otherwise stated
in the essential constitution.
Article (70) Vacancies in the Central
Committee are occupied for death, dismissal, resignation or
handicap purposes by members of the Revolutionary Council
provided that they obtain two thirds of the votes. The elected
member should be performing his duties during the period from the
conference to the time of employment.
Responsibilities
of the Central Committee
Article (71) The Central Committee assumes
its responsibilities as the executive body of the General
Conference. These responsibilities are as follows:
a. Carrying out the decisions and the political,
organisational, military and financial plans of the General
Conference and the Revolutionary Council as well as executing the
political program endorsed by the General Conference,
b. Discussing the disciplinary violations and misapplication
of the essential constitution and taking the appropriate
procedures,
c. Undertaking daily operations and directing the internal,
external, political, military and financial policies of the
Movement as well as practising leadership responsibilities in all
aspects,
d. Leading the Movement in all public and official
Palestinian, Arab and international affairs,
e. Maintaining solidarity within the Movement and applying the
essential constitution,
f. Calling the General Conference to convene, preparing its
agenda and submitting detailed written reports about all its
activities,
g. Supervising issuance of the Movement data, newsletters and
studies,
h. Setting up the Movement security court, devising its
internal charter and endorsing and verifying its terms. In case
of a death penalty, verification is maintained by two thirds of
the votes,
i. Endorsing appointment of the Military Council members who
are nominated by the Commander-in-Chief by two thirds of the
votes. Re-voting is handled ones a year,
j. Endorsing appointment of members of leading bodies of the
central and administrative departments and the Movement central
offices by two thirds of the votes. Re-voting is carried out once
a year,
k. Appointing qualified members and controllers as cited in
the constitution by two thirds of the votes, and
l. Naming 'FATEH' members in the
Palestinian National Council.
Article (72) The Central Committee devises a
special internal charter to organise its operations within three
months at the latest.
Article (73) During its meeting after the
General Conference, the Central Committee distributes tasks on
its members according to the specific specialisations determined
in the internal charter which includes all activities and
responsibilities.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Areas
Article (93) The term 'area' is
given to the base organisation which consists of at least four
branches. An area maintains this capacity according to a decision
by the Mobilisation and Organisation Office and upon a
recommendation of the district committee.
First:
The Area Conference
Formation:
Article (94) The area conference is set up as
follows:
a. The area committee members,
b. Members of the branches committees,
c. Members of the area committee during the previous
conference,
d. Five active members nominated by the area and endorsed by
the district committee if it deems necessary, and
e. A representative of each of the public organisations in the
area.
Jurisdictions:
Article (95) The area conference assumes the
following jurisdictions:
a. Discussing the decisions and operations of the area
committee, and calling its members to account,
b. Discussing the circumstances of the organisation in the
area,
c. Discussing general issues in the Movement and the district,
and submitting the necessary recommendations, and
d. Electing five of the area conference members by direct
secret voting provided that their membership has lasted for at
least three years. The district committee is entitled to add two
other members when necessary.
Article (96) The district committee selects
the secretary of the area committee from the elected members.
Article (97) a. The area conference convenes
once biannually, and it should meet before the district
conference.
b. It can hold emergency sessions upon a decision by the area
committee and the approval of the district committee.
Article (98) In areas where elections are
impossible for security circumstances or failure to meet the
organisational requirements, the district committee nominates a
list of the area committee members which will be endorsed by the
Mobilisation and Organisation Office.
Requirements
of the Area Conference
Article (99) a. Membership in the area
conference is contingent upon the representational quality cited
in article (94).
b. The member should have a clean record.
Second: The Area Committee
Article (100) The area committee holds weekly
meetings, chaired by the area secretary. According to
circumstances, emergency sessions can be held, and they follow
the terms cited in the meetings of the district committee as
regards quorum and voting.
Jurisdictions
Article (101) The area committee assumes its
jurisdictions in its capacity as the executive leadership in the
area. Such jurisdictions are similar to those of the district
committwithin the area boundary.
Article (102) After a legal investigation,
the district committee is entitled to freeze or revoke the
membership of amost two of the area committee members. And if
there is a need to freeze or revoke the membership of more than
two members, the district conference is called to an emergency
meeting to elect a new area committee.
Article (103) If an organisational necessity
arises, the area committee can make any change in the committees
of wings, chains and cells.
Article (104) The area committee appoints
secretaries of cells, chains and wings, but secretaries of
branches are appointed by the district committee upon nomination
by the area committee.
CHAPTER
FIVE
The
Movement Leading Organisations
Part Two
District Conference... District
Committee... Area Conference
Area Committee
Article (74) a. The term district is given to
any branch of the organisation within the boundary of a country.
A district includes three organisational areas or more which meet
the requirements cited in this constitution.
b. A district consists of organisational areas which have a
hierarchical structure including branches, wings, chains and
cells.
c. The organisational unit which exists in unfavourable
conditions does not have to follow this hierarchy after having
approval from the Mobilisation and Organisation Office.
d. The leading committee of any organisational unit has the
appropriate leading rank according to the number of its members
in the district. It directly follows the Mobilisation and
Organisation Office, and it has the responsibilities of a
district committee.
e. An organisational rank can be gradually promoted to a
leading committee or any of the base organisations in districts
where the sufficient number necessary to constitute an area is
not available in order to set up an area with all its branches.
This takes place in view of seniority, efficiency and activity
and upon a decision by the Mobilisation and Organisation Office.
f. The cell is the basic organisational unit in the Movement.
Article (75) New cells are set up upon the
approval of the district committee and the nomination of the area
committee. In case there is not a district committee, a cell can
be formed according to a decision by the concerned leading
committee in the respective district.
Article (76) a. Militia is the armed
organisation within the base framework as outlined in article
(91).
b. Militia forces are formed in the districts which have
favourable conditions.
c. The leadership and formation of militia is subject to the
military laws of 'Asifa'.
d. The General Leadership of 'Asifa' forces devises
the charter of militia, and this must be confirmed by the
Revolutionary Council.
District
Conference
First: Formation:
Article (77) A district conference is formed
as follows:
a. Members of district committee,
b. Members of areas committees,
c. One member representing a public organisation in the
district which has a movement office. This member is chosen by
the concerned office,
d. Former members of the district committee during the
previous conference with the proviso that it carries out its
assigned tasks,
e. A number of active members of the Movement selected by the
district committee provided that the number does not exceed 10%,
and
f. One member from each central office in the district working
through the district committee.
Second: Responsibilities:
Article (78) The district conference assumes
the following responsibilities:
a. Discussing the report, decisions and operations of the
district committee, and calling its members to account,
b. Discussing the area conditions, decisions and operations,
c. Devising the organisational and political plans of
different tasks and the external relations with other political
authorities, public organisations, thinkers, politicians and
journalistswithin the strategy endorsed by the General Conference
and the Central Committee's decisions, and
d. Discussing the generissues of the Movement and making the
necessary recommendations.
e. The district committee also elects four thirds of the
required number from whom the Central Committee selects the
members of the district committee while the rest remains as
stand-by. In case of a vacancy, the Central Committee selects the
required number form the stand-by members.
Requirements
of District Conference Membership
Article (79) a. Membership in the district
conference committee is contingent upon the representational
quality cited in article (77).
b. A member in the district conference should have spent three
years at least as a Movement member.
c. He should maintain a clean record.
Article (80) a. A district conference
convenes once biannually.
b. A district conference can be called to hold an exceptional
session upon decision by the district committee and approval of
the Mobilisation and Organisation Office.
Article (81) In districts, where elections
are impossible to conduct for security purposes or failure to
meet the organisational requirements, the Central Committee can
appoint a district committee and its secretary.
Second: District Committee
Formation:
Article (82) A district committee consists of
at least five and no more than eleven members elected from the
district conference according to item (1), Article
(78). The member should have spent five years as a Movement
member.
Meetings:
Article (83) a. A district committee convenes
once every two weeks, and is chaired by the secretary. When the
need arises, exceptional sessions can be held.
b. Quorum is maintained if two thirds of the members are
present, and the meeting can be put off for 24 hours if
otherwise, and quorum would be maintained if half of the members
could attend.
c. Decisions of the committee are based on approval of the
absolute majority of the present members.
Jurisdictions:
Article (84) Being the organisational
leadership in the district, a district committee assumes the
following jurisdictions:
a. Executing the decisions of higher leaderships,
b. Supervising all institutions and departments in the
district,
c. Devising appropriate plans for all activities in the
district,
d. Recommending to the Mobilisation and Organisation Office
the freezing or revocation of the membership of at most two of
its members provided that the reasons are spelled out,
e. Leading the district daily affairs,
f. Taking care of the integrity and solidarity of the Movement
and co-ordinating operations among different areas,
g. Calling the district conference to convene, preparing its
agenda, and submitting detailed written reports about all
activities in the district to it, and
h. Preparing the members organisational map, and reporting any
emergency developments to the Mobilisation and Organisational
Office once every six months.
Article (85) After legal investigation, the
Central Committee is entitled to freeze or revoke the membership
of one or more of the district committee members provided that
the number does not exceed one third. And if there is a need to
revoke the membership of more than one third, the district
conference should be called to an emergency session.
Article (86) The district committee should
report to the Mobilisation and Organisational Office about a
member's moving to another district after agreeing with him on
the means of communication. The report should include some
information about the member and his organisational rank.
Article (87) Offices of the central
departments undertake their activities in the district through
the district committee and in virtue of their being part of its
jurisdictions. Direct expansion of the central departments
offices in the district is banned.
Article (88) Tasks are distributed over the
district committee members in a way that warrants controlling the
operations in the district.
The District Commissioner
Article (89) a. The Central Committee
nominates a commissioner in the districts as it deems necessary.
The nominee's rank should not be lower than a district committee
member with a seniority period of three years.
b. The commissioner assumes the tasks assigned to him by the
Central Committee, and his relationship with the district
committee by an internal regulation issued by the Mobilisation
and Organisational Office.
The District Secretary
Article (90) The Central Committee nominates
the secretary from the list elected by the district conference.
And he assumes the following jurisdictions:
a. Calling the district committee to convene and chairing its
sessions,
b. Submitting monthly or instant reports to the Mobilisation
and Organisational Office,
c. Following up and executing the decisions, recommendations
and responsibilities of the district committee,
d. Unless it runs counter to the constitution regulations,
calling district conferences to convene,
e. Signing the letters, decisions and orders issued by the
district committee, and
f. Signing paying orders according to the financial
regulations.
The District Budget
Article (91) The district budget consists of
the following:
a. Subscriptions,
b. Unconditional donations,
c. Investments and local resources,
d. The budget accredited by the Movement financial office.
Article (92) a. The district budget is
determined in a project submitted by the district committee.
b. The Mobilisation and Organisational Office is entitled to
verify it as stated or modify it as necessary.
CHAPTER
SIX
The Movement
Base Organisations
Article (105) The Movement base organisations
include the following:
a. The Cell. It consists of three two five members including
the secretary.
b. The Chain. It consists of two five cells.
c. The Wing. It consists of two to five chains.
d. The Branch. It consists of two to five wings.
e. The Area. It consists of at least four branches.
Article (106) In districts where security
conditions are unfavourable, the district committee or the one
assuming this role can overlook this hierarchy and devise an
appropriate means of communication with the district committee.
Likewise, the number of cell members can be lowered to two as the
individual method can be followed provided that the Mobilisation
and Organisation Office approves that.
Obligations
of Base Organisations
Article (107) a. Providing members with a
revolutionary education, consolidating their commitment and
discipline, developing their awareness and experiences, and
enhancing their active participation according to the programs
set by the Mobilisation and Organisation Office,
b. Carrying out their tasks enthusiastically, and sparing no
effort to achieve the Movement's objectives and embodying its
principles,
c. Exerting strenuous efforts to enhance interaction with the
public and winning their respect and confidence,
d. Striving continually within public organisations and
maintaining commitment to their memberships, and
e. Trying hard to protect the Movement and develop its
efficiency to confront and conquer its enemies
Article (108) The area committee, the branch
committee, the wing committee and the cell committee assume the
responsibilities of leadership, each in its organisational
capacity in the following matters:
a. Leading its members according to the Movement's political
program and constitution,
b. Embodying the Movement's attitudes and executing its
decisions enthusiastically and fervently,
c. Upgrading its members' awareness and adherence to the
Movement, enhancing their active participation and developing
their experiences and potentials,
d. Developing their military and educational competence,
e. Enhancing their interaction with the public and their
readiness to sacrifice for their sake,
f. Maintaining strong relationships with the public bases and
winning their respect and confidence,
g. Holding brotherly relationships between bases and higher
units and vice versa,
h. Observing paying subscriptions, and monitoring its members'
behavioural and organisational conduct, and ensuring execution of
these tasks,
i. Setting an example in sacrifice, active participation,
faithfulness and team work,
j. Ensuring speed and adequacy in conveying reports,
information, leaflets and others,
k. Paying adequate attention to the members' problems and
taking appropriate initiatives to ensure rapid and revolutionary
solutions,
l. Examining the members' work fields and identifying positive
and negative aspects and taking the necessary measures,
m. Calling members to account and criticising them for
individualism or lack of seriousness, and
n. Submitting regular reports about their activities to the
higher committee.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Penalties
Article (109) The organisational penalties
aim at:
a. Upgrading the members' morals, and
b. Securing the Movement's integrity and getting rid of
corruption.
Article (110) The organisational penalties
are:
a. Drawing attention,
b. Rebuke,
c. Warning,
d. Freezing,
e. Rank demotion,
f. Firing,
g. Firing with slander.
Article (111) The organisational violations
are four types:
First: Firing or firing with slander and this applies to :
1. Violation of Unit One of the constitution,
2. Delinquency, and
3. Illegal co-operation with any other non-adversary movement
and disclosing the Movement secrets to it.
Second: Freezing or demoting rank, and this applies to:
1. Violating commitment, and this is realised by:
a. Violating the Movement political line,
b. Violating the Movement political program, and
c. Reluctance to adhere to the Movement's decisions.
2. Violating the membership protection rule,
3. Violating the members' equality rule,
4. Violating the freedom of expression rule, and
5. Violating discipline, and this is applicable to:
a. Violating the constitution,
b. Disrespect of leading authorities' decisions,
c. Rejection of orders execution,
d. Discussing organisational issues outside the units,
e. Disrespect of hierarchy, and
f. Offending the public.
7. Offending other members.
8. Disclosing secrets.
9. Offending reputation.
10. False rumours.
Third: Rebuke or warning, and this applies to:
1. Ceasing to participate in organisational activities without
an acceptable excuse for at most two regular meetings and this
period extends for one month, and
2. Refusal to practice self-criticism when deemed necessary by
the respective unit.
Fourth: Drawing attention or Rebuke, and this applies to:
1. Coming late to a meeting without an excuse,
2. Inadequate practice of self-education, and
3. Demonstrating signs of deceit and laziness.
Article (112) Repetition of violations is a
reason for imposing a stricter penalty. And if the same
violations are repeated, the strictest penalty is imposed. A
severer penalty is inflicted if newly violations art repeated.
Article (113) a. Firing and firing with
slander penalties are imposed by the Central Committee.
b. Rank demotion and freezing penalties are inflicted on area
committee members and secretaries of branches by the Central
Committee, the Mobilisation and Organisation Office and the
District Committee. Such penalties are imposed on branch members
or lower ranks by the area committee.
c. A warning penalty is inflicted by the higher organisational
rank.
d. Drawing attention and Rebuke penalties are imposed by all
concerned organisational ranks according to the unit the member
belongs to.
Article (114) When considering violations,
all concerned organisational ranks constitute investigation
committees prior to passing a judgement except in case of drawing
attention and rebuke penalties.
Article (115) Each penalty can be revised by
the rank immediately higher than the one which has signed it in
front of the Central Committee and it cannot be overruled without
a decision by the Revolutionary Council.
Article (116) It is possible that each
penalty is passed separately or together with other penalties
issued by the Movement Court.
Article (117) A sentence for two
organisational penalties due to one violation is impossible.
Article (118) No sentence can be passed
without calling the concerned member to a hearing where he has
the right to defend himself and prove innocent.
Article (119) If the member abstains from
showing up in front of the official committee which investigates
the violation, he is called a second time in a week's time, after
that the session takes place whether or not he attends provided
that if he has been informed.
Article (120) Penalised crimes are the
concern of the Movement Revolutionary Judicial Authority, and
examined by the Revolutionary Courts formed by the Central
Committee according to article (71) of the
constitution.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
General Stipulations
Article (121) The appended regulations, and
those endorsed by the Revolutionary Council and transferred to it
by the General Conference have the same power as the essential
constitution with the proviso that they not contradict it.
Article (122) Membership in the Movement is a
sacred right which can be acquired only by whoever belongs to one
of the Movement leading or base units.
Article (123) Working in the Movement
departments is an added task to the member, which does not entail
membership, nor is it a replacement of an organisational job in
any of the organisational ranks. Similarly, deputising a member
to do any task outside the Movement departments is not a
substitute for the Movement organisational framework.
Article (124) During an organisational
meeting, any member has the right to debate before a decision is
made. Debate may be allowed after issuing the decision, and a
member has the right to object to the decision after execution.
Article (125) Each member has to do some
minimal military training and to be completely qualified to
undertake his tasks.
Article (126) A member has to be informed in
accordance with requirements of his membership, organisational
rank and the job undertaken.
Article (127) A member who is sacked or is
subjected to some arbitrary act without a decision by a Movement
court has the right to appeal to the Member Protection Committee.
Article (128) Equality among organizational
ranks in committees, offices or executive departments must be
taken into account so that they enjoy equal responsibilities,
rights and obligations.
Article (129) Communication with a district
committee member is entrusted to the district committee secretary
or one of its members. A district committee member has to handle
any task assigned by the district committee, and this equally
applies to an area committee member in the respective area
boundary.
Article (130) A member of the Central
Committee who has failed in the General Conference elections has
the right to maintain his membership in the Conference and
perform any tasks assigned to him by the Central Committee, and
this equally applies to the member of the Revolutionary Council."