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The United States has expressed support for the newly formed Palestinian government, marking a significant step towards political reform within the Palestinian territories.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the administration was eager to collaborate with the newly appointed ministers. Miller added, “A revitalized PA is essential to delivering results for the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza and establishing the conditions for stability in the broader region.”
Digging Deeper:
The Palestinian Authority, under President Mahmoud Abbas, oversees parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank but has struggled with popular support and legitimacy, partly due to its security collaboration with Israel. The appointment of Mohammad Mustafa, a US-educated economist, as prime minister earlier this month marked a significant step in this reform process. Mustafa’s cabinet, announced on Thursday, includes a mix of relatively unknown technocrats and members of the secular Fatah movement, signaling a move towards more technocratic governance. However, the inclusion of figures from Gaza has raised some questions about their current residence and the feasibility of their participation.
In addition, the reformation of the Palestinian Authority and its proposed role in Gaza post-conflict face numerous challenges, including rejection by both Israel and Hamas. The war’s devastation in Gaza, which has resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, poses additional hurdles for governance and reconstruction efforts.
This development comes as the Biden administration seeks to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, particularly in the West Bank, with hopes it will extend its governance to the Gaza Strip following the conclusion of the ongoing war with Israel.
