Palestinian National Authority

Current events

Since the beginning of the Second Intifada, a growing number of Palestinians have stopped accepting the Palestinian Authority as a representative of the Palestinian people. Some claim that has become a tool of the Israeli government, and that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad represents the Palestinian interest more loyally. However, polls indicate that the Israeli attack on the West Bank since the spring of 2002 has strengthened the standing of the PLO among the Palestinian people.

Related Topics:
Second Intifada - Hamas - Palestinian Islamic Jihad

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Israel, on the other hand, has accused the Palestinian Authority of ignoring and covertly sponsoring the violence against Israelis. Israeli experts claim that Arafat specifically intended to lose authority in favor of the Islamic movements, so that he could still use terrorism without actually controlling it. The prolonged support and participation of his own private militia, the Fatah, in terrorist attacks, reinforces that claim. This view has been officially accepted by the United States in summer 2002, which decided then to halt most sorts of negotiations with the current Palestinian authority, pending a fundamental organizational change. The non-governmental American Council on Foreign Relations has declared the Palestinian Authority under Arafat a haven for terrorism.

Related Topics:
Fatah - Council on Foreign Relations - Haven - Terrorism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the Intifada, Israel has often targeted Palestinian Authority personnel and resources. In particular, many of the people arrested, assassinated or killed (extra-judicially) in action because of their alleged terrorist activities were employees of the Palestinian Authority's security forces or militias. In Operation Defensive Shield Israel has captured documents that allegedly prove that the Palestinian Authority officially sponsors terrorist activities, which are carried out by its personnel as "shadow jobs". For instance, Israel arrested and convicted Marwan Barghouti, a prominent leader of Fatah, for his role as leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. Barghouti maintains his innocence, and rejects the impartiality of the Israeli courts.

Related Topics:
Operation Defensive Shield - Marwan Barghouti - Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Israel has also targeted Palestinian Authority infrastructure; in particular it has closed and destroyed parts of the Palestinian sea and air ports, that were used, it claimed, to transport terrorists and their equipment. Israel's incursions during the Intifada also led to damage to some of the Palestinian computer infrastructure, though it is not clear to what extent it was deliberate.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

These moves were criticized by the Palestinians, who claim that the Palestinian Authority is nearing collapse, and is no longer able to carry out its internal and external obligations. This is because these repeated degradations of PA resources and infrastructure have led to complaints by the PA and some of its EU funders that Israel is deliberately hobbling the PA to restrict its powers of law enforcement in order to present an image of terrorism and lawlessness in the Palestinian Territories. Israel claimed that the current Palestinian Authority under Arafat is fradulent and impossible to trust, and hence no longer relevant to achieving a future peace agreement.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On July 7, 2004, the Quartet of Middle East mediators informed Ahmed Queria, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, that they are "sick and tired" of the Palestinians failure to carry out promised reforms: "If security reforms are not done, there will be no (more) international support and no funding from the international community" http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-07/08/content_346590.htm

Related Topics:
July 7 - 2004 - Quartet - Middle East - Palestinian Authority - Palestinian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On July 18, 2004, United States President George W. Bush stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state by the end of 2005 is unlikely due to instability and violence in the Palestinian Authority. (Le Figaro)

Related Topics:
July 18 - 2004 - United States - President - George W. Bush - Palestinian - 2005 - Palestinian Authority

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:In order for there to be a Palestinian state, it is essential for its leaders to be open to reform and be dedicated to their people.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:The problem of the Palestinians is a territorial one – they have no state and they have no leaders. Palestinians that want change need to demand that a security force be established. The real problem is that there is no leadership that is able to say 'help us establish a state and we will fight terror and answer the needs of the Palestinians'.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following Arafat's death on November 11, 2004, Rawhi Fattuh, leader of the Palestinian Legislative Council became Acting President of the Palestinian Authority as provided for in Article 119 of Constitution of the State of Palestine.

Related Topics:
November 11 - 2004 - Rawhi Fattuh - Palestinian Legislative Council - Acting President

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

: In accordance with the election’s law, the ballot for the election of the new President shall be held not more than sixty days after the beginning of the vacancy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the Palestinian presidential election, 2005 which took place on January 9, 2005 voters elected Mahmoud Abbas as President of the Palestinian Authority.

Related Topics:
Palestinian presidential election, 2005 - January 9 - 2005

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On 16 March, 2005, Israel officially handed over Jericho to Palestinian control as the first of five towns of the West Bank, with Tulkarm, Ramallah, Qalqilya and Bethlehem to follow.

Related Topics:
16 March - 2005 - Jericho - Tulkarm - Ramallah - Qalqilya - Bethlehem

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On 19 April, 2005, Vladimir Putin the president of Russia agrees to aid the Palestinian Authority stating, "We support the efforts of President Abbas to reform the security services and fight against terrorism ... If we are waiting for President Abbas to fight terrorism, he cannot do it with the resources he has now. ... We will give the Palestinian Authority technical help by sending equipment, training people. We will give the Palestinian Authority helicopters and also communication equipment." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4496273.stm

Related Topics:
19 April - 2005 - Vladimir Putin - Russia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~