In response to the smear campaign led by electronic trolls:

Three websites published a report last Wednesday accusing me personally, as well as PalThink for Strategic Studies, of corruption. These websites used my name and photo in the headline of the report, even though the original material published on a fake foreign website does not mention my name at all. The so-called “Inform Europe” is a completely fabricated platform — it has no address, no identifying information, and no known editor-in-chief. Its Twitter account has no followers and no content, offering no evidence of actual existence. It is a clear example of disinformation platforms created with the sole purpose of spreading rumors, confusion, and national discord.

As for the three websites that republished this falsehood — they are marginal outlets that do not publish regularly. Some WhatsApp groups quickly shared the report without making any effort to verify the credibility of what was written, which may be somewhat understandable given the atmosphere of war, uncertainty, distrust, psychological pressure, and tension currently prevailing in Palestinian territories.

For clarification and response:

• There is no formal or informal investigation against me or against the institution.

• German and international support for PalThink has never stopped and continues to this day, confirming ongoing trust in the credibility, transparency, and financial reporting of the organization. Our audited internal financial reports are reviewed by external auditors and published in both Arabic and English on our website.

• PalThink for Strategic Studies is a fully independent Palestinian national institution. It was self-funded at its inception, and the institution is in fact indebted to me. PalThink represents an exceptional and unique model in Palestine and the region. Despite having a small team (3–5 employees) with very modest salaries, it has managed to build partnerships with dozens of prestigious institutions and universities across many countries worldwide.

PalThink has played an active and influential role in the Palestinian public sphere through key milestones, including:

• Drafting the first reconciliation paper published in Palestinian newspapers in September 2007.
• Producing the Swiss reconciliation document that became the reference point for all reconciliation rounds.
• Publishing dozens of rigorous public policy and strategic studies.
• Training a new generation of young Palestinian researchers inside the homeland and in the diaspora.
• Launching dialogue initiatives between different student and political groups across the Palestinian territories.
• Collaborating with a network of 57 Palestinian civil society organizations from Jenin to Rafah.
• Hosting representatives of all political factions — from the far right to the far left — in its Gaza office.

• PalThink does not follow any political or security body and proudly maintains its full independence. It is one of the few institutions in Palestine that rejects partisan alignment or submission to conditional political funding.

As for me personally, I reaffirm that this campaign — and others like it — of intimidation and defamation will not deter me from my position or my path. I know very well who is behind these lies, and I know their motives. The person behind this fled Gaza ten years ago to Europe and its neighbors. I am aware that some of what I write disturbs certain individuals lounging in hotels and capitals across the world — and they may have that right. But I, too, have the right to write and to express my beliefs with a free conscience and a deep sense of national responsibility.

I’ve received messages — some gentle, some harsh — but I still stand firmly by everything I’ve written since the beginning of the catastrophe. In fact, my conviction in its truth only deepens day by day, as I engage closely with international political circles in ways that surpass many who are heard only because they raise their voices. My children’s education has been funded from our personal savings with no assistance, despite their high academic performance. My wife and I have been working for over 40 years as a committed, hard-working family like most Palestinian families.

I hold only my Palestinian nationality. I never applied for a foreign passport, even though I had many opportunities to do so. I lived in Deir al-Balah in Gaza all my life until I had to leave beautiful Gaza because of the catastrophe. And I will continue my efforts to defend the Palestinian cause with a pure conscience and relentless work — often exceeding the efforts of ten embassies and five foreign ministries, as many people used to say.

In conclusion:

• There is no investigation. The website that initiated the campaign is fake.
• International support is ongoing, consistent, and sustainable.
• PalThink is a transparent and accountable institution, and it will continue its work despite all attempts at distortion.
• As for me, these cheap tactics — nor those behind them — will ever succeed in silencing my voice or impacting my path.