No Go

Qalqilya mayor, and Hamas member, Wagia Kawass, says the organization has "no thoughts" of violence against anyone
By Ali Waked

398 Palestinian prisoners may have been released on Thursday, but many more were left behind.

One of them, Sheikh Wajia Qawais, is Hamas’ newly elected mayor of the West Bank city of Qalqilya. Hamas’ election list also won all 15 seats on the city council.

Qawais Elected

Mayor runs city from jail cell / By Ali Waked

Imprisoned Hamas candidate runs in Qalqilya mayoral elections - and wins; his deputy to take reigns of city hall

Full Story

Qawais, who has been in administrative detention for 34 months, was arrested after he was declared a security risk. No indictment, no explanation. Just administrative detention, with secret evidence presented to a judge every three months.

Qawaisis due to be released at the end of June unless the authorities decide to extend his remand for a second time. He spoke to Ynet on Thursday.

How did you feel when your release was delayed at the last minute?

First of all, I thank God for everything. It isn’t the first time the Israelis have done this to prisoners - that they have decided at the last minute to keep people locked up.

But despite this, it is tough to withstand the contempt for human dignity and feelings. It’s an attempt to destroy our morale, and that of our families and the Palestinian people. But,again, everything is in God’s hands.”

Thank God. But this was certainly a tough blow, no?

No question. It is true that every personer released makes me happy, but the fact remains that the whole issue of prisoner releases remains solely in the hands of the Israelis, disconnected from any human or serious considerations.

There is nothing in Israel’s intentions that gives any political hope. Prisoners are in a bad way: many are sick, there are women prisoners, kids. Some prisoners have sat in jail for years, but they are not released because Israel refuses to reduce Palestinian suffering.8000 Palestinian families are frustrated and angry over Israeli policy.

Anxiously awaiting release

Since last month Qawaishas tried to act as the mayor of Qalqilya while sitting in jail, and he anxiously awaits the day he will eventually be released and be able to assume the position that has been thrust upon him.

“In the meanwhile, my duties have been assumed by my deputy. I am updated as to what is going on, but it’s not the same as watching taking care of business from up close,” he says.

Qawaisalso says that when he is finally released he will set about taking care of three major campaign issues that helped him get elected: firstly, to improve municipal institutions, to improve worker’s conditions, and to organize a body to protect their rights.

Secondly, to improve community relations by forming elected neighborhood committees.

Thirdly, to build social and economic infrastructure, to improve services and quality of life for Qalqilya residents.

But these projects will require a tax hike. “We will do everything we can to ensure people will pay with an open heart,” he says, but he says he will take legal action against people who refuse.

Arab Israelis have returned to shop in Qalqilya, but the Jews who flooded the markets of your city before the Aqsa Intifada have yet to return. Can they come to a city where a Hamas member is mayor?

It depends on the political situation, and not on us in Qalqilya. It depends on negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, on the question of whether Qalqilya itself will be released from prison (of Israeli occupation), and on an improved economic reality.

But one thing should be clear: we have no message of thought or committing violence against anyone, despite the last few years that have forced our people to defend itself.”

Pragmatic Hamas

Qawais paints himself as a pragmatic Hamas activist, who is working for the good of his city and its residents from behind bars.

“We will do everything to improve the situation, even if this demands working together with acceptable elements in Israel, in order to improve the service we can offer to our population.”