PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
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Context: The resignation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) government in February 2024 was a significant event with several contributing factors and potential consequences.
Possible Reasons for Resignation
- To facilitate the formation of a broader consensus among Palestinians regarding political arrangements after the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
- Mounting pressure from the United States on the PA to reform and restructure for potential post-war involvement in Gaza governance.
- Inability to bridge the divide between Hamas (ruling Gaza) and Fatah (dominating the PA).
About Palestinian Authority (PA)
- The Palestinian Authority (PA) is an administrative body established as a result of the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed in the 1990s.
- The Oslo Accords aimed to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by outlining a framework for the establishment of a Palestinian self-governing authority in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Formation and Oslo Accords
- The Oslo Accords were signed in the early 1990s, particularly the Oslo I Accord in 1993 and the Oslo II Accord in 1995.
- The agreements envisioned a phased process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian Authority with limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.
Jurisdiction
- The PA was granted limited control over certain areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, referred to as Areas A and B, with varying degrees of autonomy.
- Area A: Full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority.
- Area B: Palestinian civil control, with joint Israeli-Palestinian security control.
Government Structure
- The PA has a President, who is also the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and a Prime Minister.
- The President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day administration.
International Recognition
- The Palestinian Authority is recognized by many countries and international organizations as the representative of the Palestinian people.
- It sought international recognition of the State of Palestine, and in 2012, the United Nations General Assembly granted Palestine non-member observer state status.
Relations with Israel
- The relationship between the PA and Israel has been complex, marked by periods of cooperation, negotiation, and conflict.
- Issues such as the status of Jerusalem, borders, refugees, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state remain key points of contention.
Hamas and Gaza
- The PA has had a complicated relationship with the militant group Hamas, which won the 2006 legislative elections.
- Following disputes, violent clashes, and the 2007 Gaza coup, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, while the PA retained control in parts of the West Bank.
Palestine |
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Key Points |
Description |
Geographical Location |
Palestine refers to a historical and present-day region in the Middle East, located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. |
Governance & Status |
There is no single, unified Palestinian state. The Palestinian territories consist of: ●West Bank: Currently under Israeli occupation, but with limited Palestinian self-rule in certain areas. ●Gaza Strip: A coastal territory under the control of the Hamas government, blockaded by Israel & Egypt. The final status of both territories is highly disputed and the subject of peace negotiations. |
Demographics |
The primary ethnic group is Palestinian Arabs, who are predominantly Muslim with a Christian minority. A significant global Palestinian diaspora also exists. There is also a substantial Israeli population, mainly Jewish, living in settlements within the West Bank. |
Historical Context |
Palestine has a long and complex history marked by various empires and rulers. Key modern historical points include: ●Zionism: The late 19th-century nationalist movement for a Jewish homeland in the region. ●British Mandate: The period of British rule (1920-1948) saw rising tensions between Jewish and Arab populations. ●1948 War: Following Israel's declaration of independence, war erupted, leading to the displacement of many Palestinians (known as the Nakba). ●1967 War: Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and other territories. ●Ongoing Occupation: Israel's ongoing presence in and control over the West Bank is a point of major dispute. |
Key Issues in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |
Borders: Disputes over the final borders of a potential Palestinian state and of Israel. Jerusalem: Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital; the city has holy sites for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Palestinian Refugees: Millions of Palestinians were displaced in the 1948 conflict and their descendants; their right of return is disputed. Israeli Settlements: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal by most of the international community and a major obstacle to peace. Security: Continuing violence and security concerns for both Palestinians and Israelis. |
Peace Efforts |
Decades of negotiations and peace proposals, including: ●Oslo Accords (1993): Set up the Palestinian Authority but failed to resolve final status issues. ●Two-State Solution: The most widely proposed solution, envisioning an independent Israel and Palestine existing side-by-side. However, prospects for this solution seem increasingly diminished. |
Conclusion
- The Palestinian Authority is a self-governing body established through the Oslo Accords, with the aim of achieving a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, political, territorial, and economic challenges persist, and the quest for lasting peace continues to be a complex and multifaceted issue.
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