93-708: The Palestinian Authority Government of March 2006 , also known as the First Haniyeh Government , was a government of the Palestinian National Authority (PA), led by Ismail Haniyeh , that was sworn in on 29 March 2006 and was followed by the Palestinian unity government of 17 March 2007 . On 25 January 2006, Hamas won the election for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) with 44.4% of
186-629: A prime minister leading a Cabinet. According to the Palestinian Basic Law which was signed by Arafat in 2002 after a long delay, the current structure of the PA is based on three separate branches of power: executive, legislative, and judiciary. The PA was created by, is ultimately accountable to, and has historically been associated with, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), with whom Israel negotiated
279-610: A Government of technocrats, if a government with Fatah and all the political groups was not possible. On 29 January 2006, PLC deputies from Fatah confirmed after talks with Abbas that their faction would not join Hamas in a coalition Government and would prefer to sit in opposition, despite calls by Hamas for a “political partnership”. The decision was, however, not discussed and ratified by the Fatah Central Committee. On 27 March 2006, Ismail Haniyeh announced formation of
372-761: A Hamas-led Palestinian government was formed, the Quartet (United States, Russia, United Nations, and European Union) conditioned future foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) on the future government's commitment to non-violence, recognition of the State of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements. Hamas rejected these demands, which resulted in the Quartet suspension of its foreign assistance program and Israel imposed economic sanctions . In December 2006, Ismail Haniyeh , Prime Minister of
465-539: A change in the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank. In February 2011, the Palestinian Authority announced that parliamentary and presidential elections would be held by September 2011. On 27 April 2011, Fatah's Azzam al-Ahmad announced the party's signing of a memorandum of understanding with Hamas' leadership, a major step towards reconciliation effectively paving the way for a unity government . The deal
558-565: A decisive victory for Hamas. The second PLC was sworn in on 18 February 2006. Subsequently, the Hamas government was formed and sworn in on 29 March 2006. The European Union supplied election observers to "assess the whole election process, including the legal framework, the political environment and campaign, electoral preparations, voting and counting as well as the post-election period". The United States had spent $ 2.3 million in USAID to support
651-594: A double game...with regards to battling Hamas, there's coordination if not cooperation with Israel. But on the political front, the PA is trying to generate a popular intifada." Since the Hamas-Fatah split in 2007, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority based in areas of the West Bank had stabilized, though no significant economic growth had been achieved. Until 2012, there had also been no progress in promotion of PNA status in
744-405: A government, it had not been implemented. The 2011 deal also promised the entry of Hamas into the Palestine Liberation Organization and holding of elections to its Palestine National Council decision-making body, which was not implemented as well. The deal was further ratified in the 2012 Hamas–Fatah Doha agreement , which was made with the background of Hamas relocation from Damascus, due to
837-718: A low rate and parliamentary panel discussions are still occurring. The first PLC met for the first time on 7 March 1996. Under the Oslo II Accord , the powers and responsibilities of the PLC are restricted to civil matters and internal security in Area A of the West Bank and Gaza, while in Area B they are restricted to civil affairs with security matters being under the control of the Israel Defense Forces . In Area C , Israel has full control. The 2006 election for
930-576: A partner and refused to negotiate with him, regarding him as linked to terrorism. Arafat denied this, and was visited by other leaders around the world up until his death. However, this began a push for change in the Palestinian leadership. In 2003, Mahmoud Abbas resigned because of lack of support from Israel, the US, and Arafat himself. He won the presidency on 9 January 2005 with 62% of the vote. Former prime minister Ahmed Qureia formed his government on 24 February 2005 to wide international praise because, for
1023-524: A system of proportional representation and half by plurality-at-large voting in traditional constituencies. A further Amended Basic Law of 2005 in August 2005 set a term of four years for the President, who may not serve more than two consecutive terms, and of the PLC at four years from the date of election. The second Palestinian legislative election took place on 25 January 2006, which resulted in
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#17327831573051116-645: Is administered as part of the Jerusalem District of Israel, but is claimed by Palestine as part of the Jerusalem Governorate . It was annexed by Israel in 1980, but this annexation is not recognised by any other country. Of the 456,000 people in East Jerusalem, roughly 60% are Palestinians and 40% are Israelis. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) foreign relations are conducted by the minister of foreign affairs . The PNA
1209-671: Is considered by the main donor countries to the PA to be a terrorist organization. The Quartet on the Middle East — comprising the United Nations , the United States , the European Union , and Russia — had said that its members would not deal with the Hamas government unless Hamas recognized Israel's right to exist, forswears violence and accepts the validity of previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements, including
1302-470: Is represented abroad by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which maintains a network of missions and embassies. In states that recognise the State of Palestine it maintains embassies and in other states it maintains "delegations" or "missions". Representations of foreign states to the Palestinian Authority are performed by "missions" or "offices" in Ramallah and Gaza . States that recognise
1395-488: Is the main obstacle in the talks. In a 25 Feb statement to local newspaper Felesteen , Hamas foreign relations chief Osama Hamdan accused the United States and Israel of blocking Palestinian reconciliation. The United States is putting pressure on the PA to not reconcile with Hamas until the latter recognizes the Quartet on the Middle East 's conditions, including the recognition of Israel, which Hamas rejects. After
1488-674: The State of Palestine , is the Fatah -controlled government body that exercises partial civil control over the Palestinian enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a consequence of the 1993–1995 Oslo Accords . The Palestinian Authority controlled the Gaza Strip prior to the Palestinian elections of 2006 and the subsequent Gaza conflict between the Fatah and Hamas parties, when it lost control to Hamas ;
1581-592: The Fatah–Hamas conflict . It stated that a unity government should be formed within five weeks, ahead of a presidential and parliamentary election within six months. The Palestinian unity government of 2014 formed on 2 June 2014 as a national and political union under Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas . The European Union, the United Nations, the United States, China, India, Russia and Turkey all agreed to work with it. The Israeli government condemned
1674-545: The Oslo Accords . The PLC is an elected body of 132 representatives, which must confirm the Prime Minister upon nomination by the President, and which must approve all government cabinet positions proposed by the Prime Minister. The Judicial Branch has yet to be formalized. The President of the PA is directly elected by the people, and the holder of this position is also considered to be the commander-in-chief of
1767-538: The Oslo Accords . Hamas rejected these conditions and a substantial part of the international community, especially Israel and the United States, refused to deal with the Hamas government, suspended aid to the Hamas-dominated PA government and imposed sanctions . On the swearing in of the Hamas government, Israel also withheld taxes collected on behalf of the PA , which would last for 12 months. In an attempt to deflect Israeli and international argument that
1860-764: The PLO Central Council . As of April 2002 , in the West Bank, the PLC has two main buildings, one in Ramallah in the Ministry of Education , housing the Assembly Chambers, and the main administrative office of the PLC in al-Bireh , adjacent to Ramallah. In Gaza, the headquarters is in Rimal , Gaza City. In 2000, the construction of a Parliament Building to possibly house the PLC was started in Abu Dis , adjacent to East Jerusalem, where most of
1953-785: The Palestinian enclaves in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a period of five years, during which final-status negotiations would take place. The Palestinian Central Council , itself acting on behalf of the Palestine National Council of the PLO, implemented this agreement in a meeting convened in Tunis from 10 to 11 October 1993, making the Palestinian Authority accountable to the PLO Executive Committee . The administrative responsibilities accorded to
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#17327831573052046-533: The Palestinian people , representing them at the United Nations under the name " Palestine ". General elections were held for its first legislative body, the Palestinian Legislative Council , on 20 January 1996. The expiration of the body's term was 4 May 1999, but elections were not held because of the "prevailing coercive situation". On 7 July 2004, the Quartet of Middle East mediators informed Ahmed Qurei , Prime Minister of
2139-407: The Palestinian territories may vote or be elected. The PLC has a quorum requirement of two-thirds. PLC laws provide further details for the PLC, such as the time limit on the duration or life of each PLC, and provisions for filling casual vacancies . There was no requirement for ministers to be members of the PLC. The powers and responsibilities of the PLC are limited by Article IX and XVII of
2232-622: The Second ("Al-Aqsa") Intifada . In 2005, after the Second Intifada, Israel withdrew unilaterally from its settlements in the Gaza Strip , thereby expanding Palestinian Authority control to the entire strip while Israel continued to control the crossing points , airspace, and the waters of the Gaza Strip's coast. In the Palestinian legislative elections on 25 January 2006, Hamas emerged victorious and nominated Ismail Haniyeh as
2325-534: The State of Palestine also accredit to the PLO (as the government-in-exile of the State of Palestine) non-resident ambassadors residing in third countries. Palestinian Legislative Council Opposition (58) The Palestinian Legislative Council ( PLC ) is the unicameral legislature of the Palestinian Authority , elected by the Palestinian residents of the Palestinian territories of
2418-404: The West Bank and Gaza Strip . It currently comprises 132 members , elected from 16 electoral districts of the Palestinian Authority. The PLC has a quorum requirement of two-thirds, and since 2006 Hamas and Hamas-affiliated members have held 74 of the 132 seats in the PLC. The PLC's activities were suspended in 2007 and remained so as of November 2023, while PLC committees continue working at
2511-566: The West Bank on 23 December 2004. On 27 January 2005, the first round of the municipal elections took place in the Gaza Strip for officials in 10 local councils. Further rounds in the West Bank took place in May 2005. Elections for a new Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were scheduled for July 2005 by Acting Palestinian Authority President Rawhi Fattuh in January 2005. These elections were postponed by Mahmoud Abbas after major changes to
2604-493: The 'Palestine National Authority'. Additionally, on 17 December 2012, UN Chief of Protocol Yeocheol Yoon decided that "the designation of 'State of Palestine' shall be used by the Secretariat in all official United Nations documents". However, in a speech in 2016 president Abbas said that "The Palestinian Authority exists and it is here," and "The Palestinian Authority is one of our achievements and we won't give it up." On
2697-508: The 2014 agreement, US president Barack Obama said in April 2014 that President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to form a national unity government with Hamas was "unhelpful" and undermined the negotiations with Israel. Amin Maqboul, secretary-general of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, told Al-Monitor , "Hamas did not stick to the 2014 agreement, as it has yet to hand over the reins of power over Gaza to
2790-575: The 88 seats. The first PLC met for the first time on 7 March 1996. The Council was intended to replace the Arafat / Fatah -controlled Palestinian Authority , which was established as a temporary organ, pending the inauguration of the Council. However, Arafat never transferred his powers to the PLC. After the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas , on 6 September 2003, the Speaker of
2883-605: The Authority's Prime Minister. However, the national unity Palestinian government effectively collapsed, when a violent conflict between Hamas and Fatah erupted, mainly in the Gaza Strip. After the Gaza Strip was taken over by Hamas on 14 June 2007, the Authority's Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led unity government and appointed Salam Fayyad as prime minister , dismissing Haniyeh. The move wasn't recognized by Hamas, thus resulting in two separate administrations –
First Haniyeh Government - Misplaced Pages Continue
2976-655: The Election Law were enacted by the PLC which required more time for the Palestinian Central Elections Committee to process and prepare. Among these changes were the expansion of the number of parliament seats from 88 to 132, with half of the seats to be competed for in 16 localities, and the other half to be elected in proportion to party votes from a nationwide pool of candidates. The following organizations, listed in alphabetic order, have taken part in recent popular elections inside
3069-511: The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and a rival Hamas government in the Gaza Strip. The reconciliation process to unite the Palestinian governments achieved some progress over the years, but had failed to produce a re-unification. The Palestinian Authority received financial assistance from the European Union and the United States (approximately US$ 1 billion combined in 2005). All direct aid
3162-419: The Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Quartet on the Middle East had said that its members would not deal with the Hamas government unless Hamas recognized Israel's right to exist, forswears violence and accepts the validity of previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements. Hamas rejected these conditions and a substantial part of the international community, especially Israel and the United States, refused to deal with
3255-538: The Gaza Strip, and to internal security in Area A and in Gaza. The Palestinian legislative election , held on 25 January 2006, was won by Hamas. On 26 January 2006, Fatah leader Saeb Erakat said his party did not want to join a Hamas Government. The Fatah Central Committee decided that Fatah will not join the next Government, but said it would depend on President Abbas. On 28 January 2006, Hamas declared it would try to form
3348-502: The Hamas government, and imposed sanctions. Following the swearing in of a Hamas-led government on 29 March 2006, Israel, the United States and the Quartet imposed sanctions against the PA . On the swearing in of the Hamas government, Israel also withheld taxes collected on behalf of the PA , which would last for 12 months. Due to the Israeli blockade, Ministers from West Bank and Gaza were compelled to communicate by videophone. One of
3441-499: The Oslo Accords to civil matters and internal security and public order and subject to review by Israel. The PLC is not authorised to negotiate with Israel. The first Palestinian legislative election took place on 20 January 1996 in accordance with Palestinian Election Law No. 13 of 1995 and its amendments. The law adopted the simple majority system (districts). However, the election was boycotted by Hamas, and Fatah won 62 of
3534-497: The PA continues to claim the Gaza Strip, although Hamas exercises de facto control. Since January 2013, following United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 , the Palestinian Authority has used the name "State of Palestine" on official documents, without prejudice to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) role as "representative of the Palestinian people". The Palestinian Authority
3627-488: The PA from 2003 to 2006, that they were "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" On 18 July 2004, United States President George W. Bush stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state by the end of 2005 was unlikely due to instability and violence in
3720-428: The PA were limited to civil matters and internal security and did not include external security or foreign affairs. Palestinians in the diaspora and inside Israel were not eligible to vote in elections for the offices of the Palestinian Authority. The PA was legally separate from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which continues to enjoy international recognition as the sole legitimate representative of
3813-482: The PA, declared that the PA will never recognize Israel: "We will never recognize the usurper Zionist government and will continue our jihad-like movement until the liberation of Jerusalem." In an attempt to resolve the financial and diplomatic impasse, the Hamas-led government together with Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas agreed to form a unity government . As a result, Haniyeh resigned on 15 February 2007 as part of
First Haniyeh Government - Misplaced Pages Continue
3906-529: The PNC at all. The 2007 Elections Law No. 2, issued by presidential decree of President Abbas, re-instated the determination (Article 4). As this PA legislation was neither enacted by the PLO nor the PNC, its legal validity is questioned in a PLO document. The document also states that "as opposed to the PNC, the PLC only represents the Palestinian population of the Occupied Territory, and does not reflect
3999-449: The PNC, is the official government of the State of Palestine on behalf of the PLO. The PLO does not itself field candidates for the PLC, but member parties or factions of the PLO can field candidates. The largest of those parties is Fatah . Pursuant to the PA's "1995 Elections Law No. 13", the 132 PLC members would automatically become members of the PNC. This was revoked, however, by the "2005 Elections Law No. 9", which does not mention
4092-469: The Palestinian Authority erected no actions during the conflict of Israel with Hamas. The reconciliation process between Fatah and Hamas reached intermediate results by the two governments, most notably the agreement in Cairo on 27 April 2011, but with no final solution. Though the two agreed to form a unity government, and to hold elections in both territories within 12 months of the establishment of such
4185-548: The Palestinian Authority were founded in 1995 to replace the 8 Israeli military districts of the Civil Administration : 11 governorates in the West Bank and 5 in the Gaza Strip. The governorates are not regulated in any official law of decree by the Palestinian Authority but they are regulated by Presidential decrees, mainly Presidential Decree No. 22 of 2003, regarding the powers of the governors. The regional governors ( Arabic : محافظ muhafiz ) are appointed by
4278-508: The Palestinian Authority's offices responsible for Jerusalem affairs are located, but the project was never finished. The PLC buildings have repeatedly been the target of Israeli attacks. In 2002, the headquarters in the West Bank were heavily damaged and equipment destroyed. In January 2009, the Gaza headquarters was bombed during Operation Cast Lead . The attacks were condemned by the UN Goldstone Mission, which called it
4371-466: The Palestinian Authority. Following Arafat's death on 11 November 2004, Rawhi Fattouh , leader of the Palestinian Legislative Council became acting president of the Palestinian Authority as provided for in Article 54(2) of the Authority's Basic Law and Palestinian Elections Law. On 19 April 2005, Vladimir Putin the president of Russia agreed to aid the Palestinian Authority stating, "We support
4464-507: The Palestinian Authority. Area B forms 22% of the West Bank, and is under Palestinian civil control, and joint Israeli-Palestinian security control. Area C , except East Jerusalem , forms 60% of the West Bank, and is administered by the Israeli Civil Administration , except that the Palestinian Authority provides the education and medical services to the 150,000 Palestinians in the area. 70.3% of Area C (40.5% of
4557-570: The Palestinian Authority: October 2006 polls showed that Fatah and Hamas had equal strength. On 14 June 2007, after the Battle of Gaza (2007) , Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led government, leaving the government under his control for 30 days, after which the temporary government had to be approved by the Palestinian Legislative Council. The governorates ( Arabic : محافظات muhafazat ) of
4650-559: The Palestinian Cabinet announced that municipal elections would take place for the first time. Elections were announced for August 2004 in Jericho , followed by certain municipalities in the Gaza Strip . In July 2004 these elections were postponed. Issues with voter registration are said to have contributed to the delay. Municipal elections finally took place for council officials in Jericho and 25 other towns and villages in
4743-520: The Palestinian Legislative Council , Ahmed Qurei became acting Prime Minister. Qurei was Prime Minister from 7 October 2003 to 26 January 2006. The Basic Law was amended in 2003. Under Article 66 of the Amended Basic Law of 2003, the approval of the PLC was required of each new government . The PLC in June 2005 increased the number of PLC members from 88 to 132, with half being elected under
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#17327831573054836-471: The Palestinian elections, allegedly designed to bolster the image of President Abbas and his Fatah party. After the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, the Gaza-based Hamas PLC members would meet separately in Gaza, leaving each part of the PLC without a quorum. The PLC has not convened since, and awaits a Fatah–Hamas reconciliation . Laws have been made by presidential decree,
4929-539: The President. They are in charge of the Palestinian police force in their jurisdiction as well as coordinating state services such as education, health and transportation. The governorates are under the direct supervision of the Interior Ministry . The governorates in the West Bank are grouped into three areas per the Oslo II Accord . Area A forms 18% of the West Bank by area, and is administered by
5022-538: The Quartet and the United States on 17 June 2006. Following the abduction of Gilad Shalit on 25 June 2006 by Gaza-based Palestinian militants, Israel detained nearly a third of the PLC members and ministers, all officials or supporters of Hamas. Pursuant to the Oslo Accords , the authority of the PA Government is limited to some civil rights of the Palestinians in the West Bank Areas A and B and in
5115-565: The Strip to the Palestinian Authority but retained control of its borders including air and sea (except for the Egyptian border). This increased the percentage of land in the Gaza Strip nominally governed by the PA from 60 percent to 100 percent. Palestinian legislative elections took place on 25 January 2006. Hamas was victorious and Ismail Haniyeh was nominated as prime minister on 16 February 2006 and sworn in on 29 March 2006. However, when
5208-550: The UN, as well in negotiations with Israel. Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority stayed out of the Gaza War in 2008–2009, which followed the six-month truce , between Hamas and Israel which ended on 19 December 2008. Hamas claimed that Israel broke the truce on 4 November 2008, though Israel blamed Hamas for an increasing rocket fire directed at southern Israeli towns and cities. The 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict began on 27 December 2008 (11:30 a.m. local time; 09:30 UTC ). Though condemning Israel over attacks on Gaza,
5301-558: The West Bank) is off limit to Palestinian construction and development. These areas include areas under jurisdiction of Israeli settlements, closed military zones, nature reserves and national parks and areas designated by Israel as "state land". There are about 330,000 Israelis living in settlements in Area C, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank . Although Area C is under martial law , Israelis living there are judged in Israeli civil courts. a. Data from Jerusalem includes occupied East Jerusalem with its Israeli population East Jerusalem
5394-400: The West Bank-based Cabinet formed by Fayyad was the sole legitimate Palestinian government, and Egypt moved its embassy from Gaza to the West Bank. Hamas, which government has an effective control of the Gaza Strip since 2007, faces international diplomatic and economic isolation. In 2013, political analyst Hillel Frisch from Bar-Ilan University 's BESA Center, noted that "The PA is playing
5487-462: The West Bank. 61% of the West Bank remains under direct Israeli military and civilian control. East Jerusalem was unilaterally annexed by Israel in 1980, prior to the formation of the PA. Since 2007 Gaza has been governed by the Hamas Government in Gaza . The politics of the Palestinian Authority take place within the framework of a semi-presidential multi-party republic, with the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), an executive president , and
5580-452: The agreement. The unity government was finally formed on 18 March 2007 under Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and consisted of members from Hamas, Fatah and other parties and independents. The situation in the Gaza strip however quickly deteriorated into an open feud between the Hamas and Fatah, which eventually resulted in the Brothers' War . After the takeover in Gaza by Hamas on 14 June 2007, Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas dismissed
5673-418: The armed forces. In an amendment to the Basic Law approved in 2003, the president appoints the Prime Minister who is also chief of the security services in the Palestinian territories. The Prime Minister chooses a cabinet of ministers and runs the government, reporting directly to the President. Parliamentary elections were conducted in January 2006 after the passage of an overhauled election law that increased
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#17327831573055766-443: The authority of the Hamas Interior Minister. He also ordered all diplomatic statements and dealings be coordinated with the Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organization , after Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar had sent a letter to the UN Secretary General. In April 2006, it was announced that the Hamas Ministers in the cabinet had resigned their membership in Hamas, in an effort to reduce Israeli and international pressure, facing
5859-450: The creation of a transitional government. In response to the announcement, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu warned that the Authority must choose whether it wants "peace with Israel or peace with Hamas". From the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1993 until the death of Yasser Arafat in late 2004, only one election had taken place. All other elections were deferred for various reasons. A single election for president and
5952-428: The economic siege. The government was followed by a unity government of March 2007 . March 2006 to March 2007 * Some ministers were arrested by Israel, making their duties being transferred to other ministers. ** Joudeh George Murqos was the only Christian minister in the government. Palestinian National Authority The Palestinian Authority , officially known as the Palestinian National Authority or
6045-503: 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." The Palestinian Authority became responsible for civil administration in some rural areas, as well as security in
6138-424: The election, resulting in Hamas completely taking over governance in Gaza in June 2007 after the Fatah–Hamas conflict . This leads to confusion about who is the legitimate "Palestinian Authority." Fatah gained control of the West Bank in 2007, and is generally referred to as the PA or "Palestinian Authority" while Hamas is more often called the "Palestinian Authority Government." Hamas has sworn to destroy Israel and
6231-414: The first acts of the Hamas cabinet was to freeze a round of appointments by the outgoing Fatah-led government. A struggle for power between President Abbas and the new government emerged over the security services . Abbas made Fatah-affiliated Rashid Abu Shbak head of the three branches of the Palestinian Security Services , with authority to hire and fire officers in the three security branches, bypassing
6324-437: The first time, most ministries were headed by experts in their field as opposed to political appointees. The presidential mandate of Mahmoud Abbas expired in 2009 and he is no longer recognised by Hamas, among others, as the legitimate Palestinian leader. According to Palestinian documents leaked to the Al Jazeera news organization, the United States has threatened to cut off funding to the Palestinian Authority should there be
6417-448: The government and on 15 June 2007 appointed Salam Fayyad Prime Minister to form a new government. Though the new government's authority is claimed to extend to all Palestinian territories, in effect it became limited to the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas of the West Bank , as Hamas hasn't recognized the move. The Fayyad government has won widespread international support. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia said in late June 2007 that
6510-399: The government is still in force. On 7–8 February 2016, Fatah and Hamas held talks in Doha , Qatar in an attempt to implement the 2014 agreements. Hamas official told Al-Monitor on 8 March, that the talks did not succeed and that discussions continued between the two movements. He also said that the foreign pressures on the Palestinian Authority to not implement the reconciliation terms
6603-414: The government was dominated by a terrorist organisation, in April 2006 Hamas ministers resigned membership in Hamas. To forestall a worsening humanitarian crisis and the collapse of the PA, the EU proposed the setting up of a " temporary international mechanism " (TIM) to channel international funds to the Palestinians through the Palestinian president, bypassing the Hamas-led government. TIM was accepted by
6696-460: The legality of which has been questioned, especially by Hamas, which has refused to recognise such laws and decisions. Following the Hamas takeover of Gaza, President Abbas declared a state of emergency and, by presidential decree, besides other things, suspended the articles of the Amended Basic Law that required PLC approval of a new government. In September 2007, following the Hamas takeover of Gaza, President Abbas by presidential decree changed
6789-502: The legislature took place in 1996. The next presidential and legislative elections were scheduled for 2001 but were delayed following the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada . Following Arafat's death, elections for the President of the Authority were announced for 9 January 2005. The PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas won 62.3% of the vote, while Dr. Mustafa Barghouti , a physician and independent candidate, won 19.8%. On 10 May 2004,
6882-480: The major cities of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip . Although the five-year interim period expired in 1999, the final status agreement has yet to be concluded despite attempts such as the 2000 Camp David Summit , the Taba Summit , and the unofficial Geneva Accords . In August 2005, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began his disengagement from the Gaza Strip , ceding full effective internal control of
6975-476: The morning of 26 February 2024, the entire Palestinian government, including Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh , resigned from office, amid popular opposition to the Palestinian Authority and pressure from the United States during the Israel–Hamas war . The Palestinian Territories refers to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem). The Palestinian Authority currently administers some 39% of
7068-627: The national consensus government and continues to control the crossings. Should Hamas continue down this path, we have to go to the polls immediately and let the people choose who they want to rule". The UN has permitted the PLO to title its representative office to the UN as "The Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations", and Palestine has started to re-title its name accordingly on postal stamps, official documents and passports, whilst it has instructed its diplomats to officially represent 'The State of Palestine', as opposed to
7161-401: The new government, comprising Hamas members and four independents, to the Palestinian Legislative Council . On 28 March, the government was approved by the PLC and sworn in on 29 March 2006. After the Hamas victory at the 2006 Palestinian legislative election , Israel said that if Hamas was part of the new PA government, it would restrict the movement of money, people and goods into and out of
7254-495: The number of seats from 88 to 132. The Chairman of the PLO, Yasser Arafat , was elected as President of PA in a landslide victory at the general election in 1996. Arafat's administration was criticized for its lack of democracy, widespread corruption among officials, and the division of power among families and numerous governmental agencies with overlapping functions. Both Israel and the US declared they lost trust in Arafat as
7347-507: The political will of the entire Palestinian People". As Abbas, as of July 2015, was the chairman of the Fatah-dominated PLO as well as of Fatah itself, and the disputed president of the Palestinian Authority (which also calls itself the State of Palestine), the functions of the PLO and of the PA are not clearly distinguished. While both PLC and PNC are virtually defunct, the functions of both legislatures are performed by
7440-678: The second PLC was the last PLC election. Following the Hamas–Fatah split in 2007 , the PLC ceased to function, with the President issuing laws by decree. Elections for the third PLC were scheduled for May 2021, but were indefinitely postponed. The Palestinian Legislative Council was created by the Oslo Accords and designed in accordance with the provisions of the Oslo II Accord , which provides for its composition, powers and responsibilities in detail. Detailed provisions regarding elections were set out in Annex II. Oslo II provides that residents of
7533-576: The self-government of the inhabitants of the territories. On the contrary, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is recognized by the United Nations as the Government of the State of Palestine. The PLO has its own parliament, the Palestinian National Council (PNC), which is formally chosen by the Palestinian people in and outside of the Palestinian territories. Accordingly, the PLO Executive Committee , formally elected by
7626-455: The simmering Syrian civil war . Since late August 2012, Palestinian National Authority has been swept with social protests aiming against the cost of living. The protesters targeted the Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, calling for his resignation. Some anti-government protests turned violent. On 11 September, Palestinian prime minister issued a decree on lowering the fuel prices and cutting salaries of top officials. In July 2012, it
7719-606: The speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council , to be the acting president until new elections can be held. The State of Palestine is recognized by 146 nations as of June 2024 . In November 2012, the United Nations voted to recognize the State of Palestine as a non-member UN observer state . Widely considered an authoritarian regime , the Palestinian Authority has not held elections in over 15 years. It has been criticized for human rights abuses, including cracking down on journalists , human rights activists , and dissent against its rule. The Palestinian Authority
7812-580: The territories, including Israeli settlements , the Jordan Valley region and bypass roads between Palestinian communities, were to remain under Israeli control (" Area C "). East Jerusalem was excluded from the Accords. Negotiations with several Israeli governments had resulted in the Authority gaining further control of some areas, but control was then lost in some areas when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) retook several strategic positions during
7905-493: The third PLC were scheduled for 22 May 2021, but were indefinitely postponed on 29 April 2021. From the beginning, the PLC was not able to function properly for a number of reasons: While the PLC is elected by Palestinian residents of the Palestinian territories , it is not the parliament of the State of Palestine . Accordingly, the Palestinian Authority is not the government of the State of Palestine, but
7998-411: The unity government because it views Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Palestinian unity government first convened in Gaza on 9 October 2014 to discuss the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict . On 30 November 2014, Hamas declared that the unity government had ended with the expiration of the six-month term. But Fatah subsequently denied the claim, and said that
8091-418: The vote vs Fatah's 41.4%, and its leader Haniyeh formed the government, which comprised mostly Hamas members as well as four independents, after Fatah and other factions had refused to form a government with Hamas. It was the first Hamas-led PA government in the Palestinian territories . Due to the inability of Hamas and Fatah to form a single government, conflict and fighting between Fatah and Hamas followed
8184-529: The voting system for the PLC into a full proportional representation system, bypassing the dysfunctional PLC. The 2006 election was the last Palestinian legislative election, though under the Basic Law the term of a PLC is four years. Fatah and Hamas had agreed in the 2014 Fatah–Hamas Agreements that the election for the third PLC take place sometime in 2014, but has been postponed because of continuing disagreements between Hamas and Fatah. Elections for
8277-585: Was created by the Gaza–Jericho Agreement , pursuant to the 1993 Oslo Accords . The Gaza–Jericho Agreement was signed on 4 May 1994 and included Israeli withdrawal from the Jericho area and partially from the Gaza Strip, and detailed the creation of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Civil Police Force . The PA was envisioned as an interim organization to administer a limited form of Palestinian self-governance in
8370-631: Was formally announced in Cairo, and was co-ordinated under the mediation of Egypt's new intelligence director Murad Muwafi . The deal came amidst an international campaign for statehood advanced by the Abbas administration, which is expected to culminate in a request for admission into the General Assembly as a member state in September. As part of the deal, the two factions agreed to hold elections in both territories within twelve months of
8463-555: Was formed on 4 May 1994, pursuant to the Gaza–Jericho Agreement between the PLO and the government of Israel , and was intended to be a five-year interim body . Further negotiations were then meant to take place between the two parties regarding its final status. According to the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority was designated to have exclusive control over both security-related and civilian issues in Palestinian urban areas (referred to as " Area A ") and only civilian control over Palestinian rural areas (" Area B "). The remainder of
8556-476: Was reported that Hamas Government in Gaza was considering to declare the independence of the Gaza Strip with the help of Egypt. On 23 April 2014 Ismail Haniyeh , the prime minister of Hamas, and a senior Palestine Liberation Organisation delegation dispatched by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas signed the Fatah–Hamas Gaza Agreement at Gaza City in an attempt to create reconciliation in
8649-470: Was suspended on 7 April 2006, as a result of the Hamas victory in parliamentary elections. Shortly thereafter, aid payments resumed, but were channeled directly to the offices of Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. Since 9 January 2009, when Mahmoud Abbas' term as president was supposed to have ended and elections were to have been called, Hamas supporters and many in the Gaza Strip have withdrawn recognition for his presidency and instead consider Aziz Dweik ,
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