The Palestinian Authority has seen its aspirations for governing a future state wane significantly, especially following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza two decades ago, leaving it with the West Bank as its only stronghold amidst a dire financial crunch.
However, hopes were briefly revived on Monday when U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a plan aimed at resolving the conflict in Gaza, which mentioned a future role for the Palestinian Authority and its president, Mahmoud Abbas, who has not faced an electoral challenge since 2005.
The 20-point conditions outlined in Trump’s plan demand that the Palestinian Authority implement challenging reforms before it could reassume control of Gaza, creating a difficult path back to a territory where Israel has stated it will not intervene and where Hamas stands in opposition.
Minesfield
Despite a history of fluctuating relations with Washington, the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League, and most countries globally recognize the Palestinian Authority as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. It has been a central player in international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establish a two-state solution.
Ghassan Khatib, a professor of international studies at Birzeit University in the West Bank and a former minister within the Palestinian Authority, stated that Trump’s plan leaves “only a theoretical possibility” for the Palestinian Authority’s future involvement in Gaza, laden with “numerous landmines and conditions.”
He further explained that “this plan is neither beneficial for the Palestinian Authority nor for the political aspirations of Palestinians… the West Bank and Gaza will not become an integrated whole.”
Hamas has yet to announce its stance on the proposed plan, which includes an immediate end to the hostilities that have been ravaging Gaza since the group launched an attack on Israel in 2023, along with the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority has consistently expressed its readiness to take charge in Gaza from Hamas and has amplified its reform promises since the Biden administration suggested a “modernized” Palestinian Authority to manage post-war Gaza.
Trump’s suggested plan entails that Gaza be governed by a non-political transitional Palestinian committee overseen by an international body “until such time” as the Palestinian Authority completes its reforms, which analysts consider politically challenging demands reminiscent of his 2020 peace proposal.
The plan also includes the establishment of an international stabilizing force responsible for training and supporting the Palestinian police, whose members will undergo thorough vetting, in collaboration with Jordan and Egypt.
A senior Jordanian official indicated that the Palestinian force, which will receive training in Egypt and Jordan, will have a command structure independent of the Palestinian Authority. Funding and oversight will be arranged through an Arab-Islamic mechanism, with salaries not directly tied to the Palestinian Authority.
The U.S. State Department mentioned that Washington is focused on ending the conflict in Gaza and addressing Hamas’s governance, along with securing the release of hostages and facilitating much-needed aid. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Reforming the Palestinian Authority
When the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994, Palestinians hoped it would serve as a launchpad towards statehood encompassing the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as the capital
Yet, this goal now appears more elusive than ever despite recent moves by Western countries towards recognizing a Palestinian state
The pace of Israeli settlement expansion has accelerated, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state, deeming it a threat to Israel
Donor nations have persistently urged the Palestinian Authority to combat corruption
Additional demands include educational reforms. Netanyahu stated in a UN speech on September 26 that Palestinian textbooks teach children “hatred of Jews and the destruction of the Jewish state”
Washington has also sought to halt payments made by the Palestinian Authority to families of Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel, a practice criticized as “pay for slay,” which was reiterated by the U.S. Ambassador to the UN on Monday
The Palestinian Authority claims it is making progress, noting that Abbas revoked a law governing such payments in February and that families now receive support through a social welfare fund
Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority has committed to aligning its educational curricula with United Nations standards
Palestinian analysts suggest that a potential obstacle also lies in Trump’s 2020 plan’s demand for Palestinian leaders to recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” Analyst Hani al-Masri labeled this as an impossible condition for the Palestinian Authority
Abbas previously rejected this demand, asserting that the Palestine Liberation Organization, which he leads, recognized Israel in 1993
He highlighted that 21 percent of Israel’s population consists of Arabs, most of whom are of Palestinian descent and hold Israeli nationality
The Authority’s Finances
Trump stated that if the Palestinian Authority does not follow through with the reforms outlined in his 2020 plan, “they have no one to blame but themselves,” adding that Palestinians enjoy “tremendous support” from Arab leaders
The Palestinian Authority’s finances, long under severe pressure, have faced renewed strain since the outbreak of war in Gaza, owing to Israel withholding tax revenues collected on its behalf
Trump’s Gaza plan hints at the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state, suggesting that “as the reconstruction of Gaza advances and as the Palestinian Authority’s reform program is rigorously implemented, favorable conditions may finally arise for a serious pathway towards Palestinians determining their fate and establishing a state”
The Palestinian Authority welcomed Trump’s efforts to end the conflict. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, an aide to Abbas, noted that the Palestinian Authority is fulfilling its commitments made prior to France, Britain, and Canada recognizing a Palestinian state
He added, “We have sent a message to world leaders that we are committed to undertaking the necessary reforms, and we are indeed enacting these reforms, and these commitments preceded international recognition of the Palestinian state”