Khaled Osaily. خالد العسيلي رئيس بلدية الخيل السابق خالد العسيلي
aHebron Mayor KhaledOsaily ranked first in a poll organized by ‘Al Istiqlal Association for Information and Development’ to select the Personality of 2011 in Hebron, while Colonel Ramadan Awad, Director General of the Police in Hebron Governorate came in second position. Poll results were revealed on 22 January during a ceremony held at Al Istiqlal Association.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Oday Al Ja’abari, Executive Director, spoke about the Association’s various activities and projects implemented in 2010, their positive impact on the local community and how they helped cover the needs of various sectors, especially the most marginalized.
Dr. Rafeeq Al Ja’abari, Head of the Association’s Board of Directors then announced the poll’s results. “The poll falls within the Association’s strategy aimed at showcasing public figures who make a difference and have an effective impact on Hebron. It is a tool to motivate institutions and individuals alike to enhance their work, increase their institutional and personal achievements as well as to underline, document and develop the active role they play in providing services and to use their achievements as future benchmarks. Teams from the Association supervised this poll which was organized by an independent work team and by field workers who toured the majority of Hebron areas where they randomly polled individuals to ensure as wide a representative sample as possible. The ‘Open Poll’ approach was used to ensure the highest levels of transparency and credibility in selecting the personality which has made the biggest positive impact on Hebron in 2010, as well as to allow the largest participation possible. Moreover, the poll was supported by a phone survey targeting a representative sample of CSOs in the city. Results of the phone survey were very similar to the ones achieved by the field poll. In general, votes went to eight figures representing institutions working in Hebron or in Hebron Governorate. Mayor Osaily ranked first immediately followed by Colonel Ramadan Awad”, he added.
Mayor Osaily welcomed this initiative which he described as a brave step. He underlined the neutrality and transparency of Al IstiqlalAssociation as well as its lofty objectives and efforts to support local community development. Osaily also thanked the Association for its various efforts at the service of the city.
Speaking about the poll results, Osaily said: “The trust placed in me by citizens would not have been possible without the efforts of the Municipal team which I run. However, our achievements would not have been possible without orientations from President Abbas and support from PM Fayyad, the Palestinian government and cooperation with all city institutions which form a homogeneous and cooperative team with the same objectives and strategy aimed at improving the life of Palestinians. The high rank given to Colonel Awad in the poll proves that achievements cannot be sustained if security is lacking. I would like to laud the Police Apparatus and all security apparatuses with whom we and other Governorates form a team. This team spirit is a key pillar for success. I assure you that today we shall start a new era as this poll will encourage us all to redouble our efforts and to enhance our services to Palestine and Palestinians”.
Colonel Awad thanked the local population as well as Al IstiqlalAssociation for its efforts in the field of community development. He offered his victory to all police force members who work relentlessly to protect Palestinians and their properties and who are a source of satisfaction reflected in the poll results. He also underlined the exemplary cooperation between the Police and Hebron Municipality and promised to continue working to implement laws and ensure security and safety.
At the end of the ceremony, journalists and the public were given the opportunity to address questions to the panel. Plaques and honorary diplomas were then distributed to Mr. Osaily and Mr. Awad.
