The Proposed Palestinian Constitution Elevates War over Statehood

The recently published draft of the Palestinian constitution contains such important provisions as term limits for presidents, measures to ensure free and fair elections, and so forth. And to its credit, it was swiftly condemned by Hamas. Yet it also reflects everything that is wrong with the Palestinian political project. Take, for instance, Article 69, whose first clause states that “the law punishes the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes,” and so forth, as well as “treason, espionage, and conspiracy against the unity and integrity of the territory of the state of Palestine.”