Constitution

Palestine 2003 Constitution (reviewed 2005)

Table of Contents

Title One

Article 1

Palestine is part of the larger Arab world, and the Palestinian people are part of the Arab nation. Arab unity is an objective that the Palestinian people shall work to achieve.

Article 2

The people are the source of power, which shall be exercised through the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, based upon the principle of separation of powers and in the manner set forth in this Basic Law.

Article 3

Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

Article 4

  1. Islam is the official religion in Palestine. Respect for the sanctity of all other divine religions shall be maintained.
  2. The principles of Islamic Shari’a shall be a principal source of legislation.
  3. Arabic shall be the official language.

Article 5

The governing system in Palestine shall be a democratic parliamentary system, based upon political and party pluralism. The President of the National Authority shall be directly elected by the people. The government shall be accountable to the President and to the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Article 6

The principle of the rule of law shall be the basis of government in Palestine. All governmental powers, agencies, institutions and individuals shall be subject to the law.

Article 7

Palestinian citizenship shall be regulated by law.

Article 8

The flag of Palestine shall be of four colors and in accordance with the dimensions and measurements approved by the Palestine Liberation Organization. It shall be the official flag of the country.