A new report from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs evaluates the new, hastily put together Palestinian Authority government led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. The article outlines opposition to Fayyad and illustrates the inability of any leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to generate support. Instead, the backing for any leader remains fickle and political coalitions can quickly shift from support to opposition. Notably, the analysis states:
“The government of Salam Fayyad reflects the intention of the United States to generate a reform process in the PA that would create a new framework through which the Palestinians could move from an era of gangsterism, armed resistance, and terror to an era of nation-building and statehood. Fayyad has led a commendable effort to advance this new agenda. However, the PA’s embattled prime minister does not have the political infrastructure to carry the weight of this burden. He lacks a political base and has threatened existing Palestinian political frameworks. Moreover, Washington’s notion that reformed political power can be purchased is naïve. In fact, Fayyad’s unprecedented control of Western donations makes him a ripe target for both Fatah and Hamas.”
