Palestinian National Council approves 103 new members

Palestinian National Council (PNC) approved 103 new members during its 23rd meeting which is being held in occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, the Safa news agency reported yesterday.

It was not clear what the criteria for choosing new members was but the Secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat confirmed that the appointments took place on Tuesday.

During its meeting, the PNC is also due to choose the PLO’s Executive Committee.

Erekat said that the current members of the Executive Committee had started introducing written reports, discussing matters of importance for Palestinians including the issue of Jerusalem and making political reviews starting with the 1993 Oslo agreement.

Hamas: PNC meeting is ‘a separation project’

He said the body hopes to come to agreements regarding whether or not to retain agreements reached with Israel in light of the latter’s continued disregard for them and how to face the US’ policies regarding Palestine.

Launched on Monday, the PNC meeting is due to come to a close today. Controversy has surrounded the body as it met in spite of widespread calls to boycott it due to the inability of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to take part.