Report Authors
Research Coordinator and main researcher
Dr. Hadeel Qazzaz
Researchers
Mr. Ammar Dweik
Dr. Ahmad Abu Daya
Mr. Jehad Harb
Research Assistant
Fadwa Qourah
(Extract)
2. Executive Summary
In Palestine the conflict still goes on which makes it difficult to deal with it as a regular case of reconstruction. However, the Palestinian case shows how reform and building national integrity systems is sensitive to political change. The continuous oppression by the Israeli occupation undermines any reform efforts. Achievements are fragile in the face of the harsh measure of political boycott by the international community. Commitment to integrity and reform in the Palestinian context should be coupled with political commitment to advance the peace process, stopping the occupation oppression and promoting a viable economic development process. Internally, Political will in advancing reform is essential. It is the role of the international community then to strengthen local demands for integrity and reform and to not only have ready made recipes of reform. International donor support should be political as well as financial. Continuous dialogue with local agents for change is essential. Political support is also important to maintain achievements of reform which are usually fragile. Financial support should not be seasonal or according to pre-set agendas. Some reform and especially re-building state institutions needs long term and consistent support. The international donor community's desire to respond to urgent humanitarian needs should not take over the long-term efforts of reform. Using reform and integrity as a tool in political and election campaigns and for political gains is dangerous. False allegations or lack of evidence of corruption creates a hostile environment and minimizes people's trust in the system.
Priorities for building an integrity system in Palestine include building a viable, independent judicial system. Although judicial reform may need a long time and many resources, it is essential to start with. In that sense it is not a long term strategy only because any steps taken in that direction will restore people's confidence in official commitment to reform and will restore people's belief in justice which will have a positive effect in all sectors. The second priority is to create a better security and policing system. The elements that underpin the rule of law - such as prisons, courts, and legal sector and security services - should be regarded as linked and interdependent. An equally important priority is reforming the President's Office which is a crucial challenge at the moment. Due to the international boycott of the Hamas government, money is being transferred to the President's Office which contradicts all the achievements that have been accomplished since 2003 in unifying the treasury and having a modern, transparent budget system. It is also important to continue reforming the civil service by avoiding appointments according to political affiliation. The retirement procedure should be activated to minimize the number of employees. All employees should be placed in a certain structure which serves the mission of the governmental organizations. Rules such as preventing civil servants from working in two jobs and respecting working hours should be implemented. Transparency in local government is another step that should also be taken to increase the accountability of local government. The annual budgets and audited annual accounts of local government should be available to the public.