Ibrahim Eid Dalalsha, Shira Efron, Jess Manville, and Gabriel Epstein
Israel Policy Forum, Mar. 2025
“… two parallel reform efforts must unfold in tandem: enhancing day-to-day governance and service delivery under the PA, and deeper political reforms within the PLO, Fatah alongside developing an election horizon.”
The October 7 atrocities and the subsequent Gaza war mark an inflection point for the future of Palestinian governance. This moment calls for a stable, capable, and trustworthy leadership that is able to plan for Gaza’s post-war landscape, address West Bank instability, provide functional services, and be accountable to the Palestinian population across the territories—all while offering a credible alternative to Hamas. However, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is currently plagued by a severe crisis of legitimacy, with its domestic credibility at an all-time low, eroded international donor confidence, and a governance system tarnished by corruption.
As a result, the PA finds itself squeezed between international skepticism about its ability to address the mounting challenges ahead, domestic disillusionment with its authoritarian rule, and Israeli policies that seek to undermine it. Despite these flaws and challenges, the PA remains the only viable entity and the sole legitimate, internationally recognized representative of the Palestinians. PA reform is a strategic imperative for Palestinians, the U.S., and international actors, and will be essential to advance Palestinian statehood, enhance Israeli security, and promote regional stability. ….SOURCE