SAMER SINIJLAWI

Samer Sinijlawi is a Fatah member and a Palestinian political activist and is chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund. He holds a BA in Business Administration Beir Zeit University and a Masters in Conflict Resolution from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Sinijlawi was imprisoned in an Israeli jail at the age of 15 for five5 years and after his release was elected as the head of the Fatah Youth. Then he was elected as the head of international and Israeli relations on the Fatah Supreme Committee and was in charge of relations between Fatah and major political parties in Europe and the Arab world and as well as in Israel. Today he is the voice of opposition to President Mahmoud Abbas and calls for Palestinian reforms and democracy, as well as believing in Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and coexistence. He was the only high-profile Palestinian politician who visited the Gaza border area after the October massacre and condemned Hamas in front of cameras. He also visited the shiva of the Bibas family and asked Yarden Bibas for forgiveness. His op-eds have been published in The New York Times , Newsweek , Le Figaro , The Toronto Star , The Atlantic , Israel Hayom , N12, The Jerusalem Post , and Haaretz

A view of the scene of a deadly shooting attack at the Yehuda Junction checkpoint near the West Bank city of Hebron, where two Israeli soldiers were murdered and three others wounded by Palestinian gunmen the previous day, October 24, 2026.

Israel must confront double standards in Hebron security, accountability - opinion

A PALESTINIAN man votes during the municipal council election, in Birzeit near Ramallah, in the West Bank, on April 25, 2026.

Elections delayed: A generation of Palestinians is being denied its right to choose - opinion

US President Donald Trump talks with members of the media after walking off Air Force One at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport on September 16, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

President Trump, stand with Palestinian democracy - opinion


Mahmoud Abbas: Do not reverse your most popular decision, extinguish our last bit of hope - opinion

Since the decision to hold elections was announced, nearly two million Palestinians have responded with renewed hope and registered to participate – close to 90 % of eligible voters. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looks on as he visits the Istishari Cancer Center in Ramallah, in the West Bank, May 14, 2025.

Kushner has opened the door: Now Israelis and Palestinians must walk through it - opinion

A historic meeting: Hamas leaders met directly with Jared Kushner, the US Special Envoy for Peace, and reaffirmed their commitment to disarm and demilitarize Gaza.

Jared Kushner in an interview with Reuters

The story that traps us: Why Israel's and Palestine's elections need a new conversation - opinion

The coming elections may open a political door unlike any we have seen for a generation.

An elderly Palestinian man fills out his ballot before casting his vote at a polling station during municipal elections in the West Bank city of Hebron on April 25, 2026.

Ahmad Slim’s death demands justice, transparency in Gaza - opinion

Every unnecessary death weakens those of us trying to convince Palestinians that another path remains possible.

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, July 8, 2026.

Gaza's economic mafia: The import monopoly threatening Israel's security - opinion

Since the beginning of the war, Israeli military and security authorities have reportedly relied on an exclusive list of just 13 individuals authorized to import commercial goods into Gaza. 

Al-Sahaba market in the Gaza Strip, July 28, 2025.

The Paris Conference, the peace industry, and the illusion of representation - opinion

Real peacebuilding requires leaving the comfort of elite conferences and engaging directly with the difficult realities on the ground. 

 People’s Peace Summit in Jerusalem, May, 2025.

Trump’s Gaza plan can still work - but only if Washington changes course - opinion

Despite the crisis, the conditions for a diplomatic breakthrough may be emerging beneath the surface – if Washington is willing to rethink the sequencing and political assumptions behind its strategy

Activists, including Israelis and Palestinians, take part in a demonstration in support of peace near Jericho

Europe’s applause for Abbas is failing Palestinian democracy - opinion

As Abbas tightens control, Western governments are applauding a Palestinian political system that has denied elections for 20 years.

Yasser Abbas, member of the Fatah Central Committee, attends the announcement of results of the 8th General Conference of Fatah during a press conference in Ramallah, the West Bank, May 18, 2026.

Geneva’s silence vs Tel Aviv’s applause: Israeli-Palestinian peace talks must go public - opinion

The old peace process industry is failing Israelis and Palestinians.

Samer Sinijlawi is seen speaking at the annual Berl Katznelson Foundation conference in Tel Aviv, in 2026.

Palestinian municipal vote reveals shift toward pragmatism, accountability - opinion

Palestinian local elections revealed a stronger-than-expected turnout despite boycott calls, signaling a shift toward accountable governance.

A Palestinian woman is seen voting in local elections, in Gaza.