Palestinian National Authority 24093 226034688 2008-07-16T15:14:43Z Bleddynefans 395458 revert vandalism by "68.196.80.93" {{redirect|Palestinian government|the Hamas led administration in the Gaza Strip|Governance of the Gaza Strip}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية <br/>''As-Sulta Al-Wataniyya Al-Filastīniyya''</span> |conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Palestinian National Authority</span> |common_name = Palestine |image_flag = Flag of Palestine.svg |image_coat = Palestinian National Authority COA.svg |symbol_type = Coat of arms |image_map = LocationPalestine.svg |national_anthem = ''[[Palestinian National Anthem|Biladi]]'' |official_languages = [[Arabic]], [[English language|English]] |capital = [[Jerusalem]] |largest_city = [[Jerusalem]] |government_type = [[Republic]] |leader_title1 = [[President of the Palestinian National Authority|President]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Prime Minister]] |leader_name1 = [[Mahmoud Abbas]] |leader_name2 = [[Salam Fayad]] |population_estimate = 4.148.000 |population_estimate_rank = 124th |population_estimate_year = 2008 (July) |population_census = |population_census_year = |GDP_PPP = $5.550 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = - |GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |GDP_PPP_per_capita =[[West Bank]] $1,500<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/we.html "CIA - The World Factbook -- West Bank."] ''[[Central Intelligence Agency]]''. 23 January 2007. 28 January 2007.</ref> |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = - |established_event1 = Established |established_date1 = [[1994]] |HDI = {{decrease}} 0.731 |HDI_rank = 106th |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font> |currency = [[Israeli new sheqel]]<br/>[[Jordanian dinar]]<sup>a</sup><br/> |currency_code = JOD, ILS |country_code = PLE |time_zone = &nbsp; |utc_offset = +2 |time_zone_DST = &nbsp; |utc_offset_DST = +3 |cctld = [[.ps]] |calling_code = 970 |calling_code_note = <sup>b</sup> |footnotes = <sup>a</sup> [[West Bank]] only.<br/><sup>b</sup> Not officially assigned. }} The '''Palestinian National Authority''' ('''PNA''' or '''PA'''; {{lang-ar|السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية}} ''As-Sulta Al-Wataniyya Al-Filastīniyya'') is the administrative organization established to [[government|govern]] parts of the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]]. ==Basis== The Palestinian National Authority was formed in [[1994]], pursuant to the [[Oslo Accords]] between the [[PLO|Palestinian Liberation Organisation]] (PLO) and the government of [[Israel]], as a 5-year [[provisional government|interim]] body during which final status negotiations between the two parties were to take place. According to the Accords, the Palestinian Authority was designated to have 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 the territories, including Israeli settlements, the Jordan Valley region, and bypass roads between [[Palestinian]] communities, were to remain under exclusive Israeli control ("Area C"). [[East Jerusalem]] was excluded from the Accords. ==Overview== The Palestinian Authority is a subsidiary agency of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]]. Also, it is the [[PLO|Palestinian Liberation Organization]], not the Palestinian National Authority, which enjoys [[international recognition]] as the organization representing the Palestinian people. The [[Palestinian people|Palestinian diaspora]], living outside the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza]], which constitutes the majority of the Palestinian people, do not vote in [[election]]s for Palestinian National Authority offices. Under the name "Palestine", Palestinian Liberation Organisation has an observer status in the [[United Nations]] (UN) since 1974. After the 1988 [[Palestinian Declaration of Independence]], the PLO's representation at the [[United Nations]] was renamed Palestine. It is the PLO, not the PNA, which has participated in [[General Assembly]] debates, without voting, since 1998, and which was in 1994 [[Israel-Palestine Liberation Organization letters of recognition|recognized by Israel]] as the representative of the Palestinian people following the signing of the [[Oslo Accords]]. The PNA previously received considerable financial assistance from the [[European Union]] and the [[United States]] (approximately USD $1,000,000,000 combined in 2005), but both suspended all direct aid on [[April 7]], [[2006]] (as threatened in January 2006 and following Canada's [[March 29]] [[2006]] decision to cut all aid) as a result of the [[Hamas]] victory in parliamentary elections.<ref>{{cite web|title=US suspends aid to Palestinians|work=BBC News|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4889668.stm|accessdate=2006-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Abbas warns of financial crisis|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4730568.stm|accessdate=2006-02-19}}</ref> The [[Gaza International Airport]] was built by the PNA in the city of [[Rafah]], but operated for only a brief period before being razed by Israel following the outbreak of [[Al-Aqsa Intifada]] in 2000. A sea [[port]] was also being constructed in Gaza but was never completed (see below). The PA maintains an official uniformed [[armed forces|armed service]] which various sources estimate to include anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000 recruits<ref>David Hirst, "The New Oppressor of the Palestinians," Guardian (London), July 6, 1996, reprinted in World Press Review, October 1996, p. 11. Hirst suggests that there are 40,000-50,000 security officers. For Israeli press reports about there being 40,000 officers, see Steve Rodan, "Gov't: PA Has 16,000 More Policemen than Permitted by Oslo," Jerusalem Post (international edition), [[May 2]], [[1998]], p. 3. According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli defense sources said in September 1996 that the number of armed men in the PA had risen to 80,000. See Steve Rodan, "Palestinians Have 80,000 Armed Fighters," Jerusalem Post, September 27, 1996, p. 5.</ref> employing some armored cars, and a limited number carry automatic weapons.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip | work= JewishVirtualLibrary.org | url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/iaannex1.html|accessdate=2006-02-19}}</ref> Officially termed a "police force", it violates the [[Oslo Accords]] which limit the force to 30,000 recruits. Many Palestinians are dependent on access to the Israeli job market. During the 1990s, Israel began to replace Palestinians with foreign workers. The process was found to be economical and also addressed security concerns. This hurt the Palestinian economy, in particular in the Gaza strip, where 45.7% of the population is under the poverty line according to the [[CIA World Factbook]], but it also affected the West Bank. [[Image:Palestinian authority map.gif|thumb|180px|Map of territories composing the [[Palestinian territories]]]] == Officials == {{Office-table}} |[[President of the Palestinian Authority|President]] |[[Mahmoud Abbas]] |[[Fatah]] |[[January 15]] [[2005]] |- |[[Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority|Prime Minister]] |[[Salam Fayyad]] |[[Third Way (Palestine)| Third Way]] |[[June 15]] [[2007]] |- |[[Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority|Foreign Minister]] |[[Riyad al-Maliki]] |[[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine|PFLP]] |[[June 15]] [[2008]] |- |[[Interior Minister of the Palestinian Authority|Interior Minister]] |[[Abdel Razak Yehiyeh]] |[[Independent (politician)|Independent]] |[[June 15]] [[2007]] |} Past Prime Ministers: * [[Mahmoud Abbas]]: [[March 19]], [[2003]] - [[October 7]], [[2003]] * [[Ahmad Qurei]]: [[October 7]], [[2003]] - [[December 15]], [[2005]] * [[Nabil Shaath]]: [[December 15]], [[2005]] - [[December 24]], [[2005]] * [[Ahmad Qurei]]: [[December 24]], [[2005]] - [[February 19]], [[2006]] * [[Ismail Haniya]]: [[February 19]] [[2006]] - [[June 14]] [[2007]] Past [[President of the Palestinian Authority|Presidents]]: * [[Yasser Arafat]]: [[July 5]], [[1994]] - [[November 11]], [[2004]] * [[Rauhi Fattouh]] (acting): [[November 11]], [[2004]] - [[January 15]], [[2005]] Past Foreign Ministers * [[Nabil Shaath]]: [[April 3]], [[2003]]- * [[Mahmoud al-Zahar]]: [[March 20]] [[2006]] - [[June 14]] [[2007]] Past Interior Ministers *[[Hakam Balawi]]: November 2003 - February 2005 *[[Nasser Yousef]]: February 2005 - March 2006 *[[Said Seyam]]: March 2006 - March 2007 *[[Talab al-Qawasmi]]: March 2007 - June 2007 == History == ''For the history of the territories currently controlled by the PNA prior to its establishment, see [[History of Palestine]] and [[History of the Palestinian territories]].'' The [[Oslo Accords]] were signed on [[13 September]] [[1993]] between the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] and Israel. The Accords led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority. This was an interim organization created to administer a limited form of Palestinian self-governance in the Palestinian territories for a period of five years during which final-status negotiations would take place. The Palestinian Authority became responsible for civil administration in some rural areas, as well as security in 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 [[Camp David 2000 Summit]], the [[Taba summit]], and the unofficial [[Geneva Accords]]. After the inability of the Palestinians to reach any position in the Israel-Palestinian peace process, and with the continuing [[Second Intifada]], in 2005 Israeli forces [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|unilaterally withdrew its military and civilians]] from the [[Gaza Strip]], ceding full effective internal control of the Strip to the Palestinian Authority but retained control of its borders including air and sea (except for the Egyptian border). [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|Palestinian legislative elections]] took place on [[25 January]] [[2006]]. [[Hamas]] was victorious and [[Ismail Haniyeh]] was nominated as [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Prime Minister]] on [[16 February]] [[2006]] and sworn in on [[29 March]] [[2006]]. However, when a Hamas-controlled government was formed, [[Israel]], the [[United States]], [[Canada]], and the [[European Union]] froze all funds to the Palestinian Authority, after Hamas refused to recognize Israel, renounce violence, and agree to past agreements. These countries view Hamas as a [[terrorist]] organization. In an attempt to resolve the financial and diplomatic impasse, the Hamas-led government together with Chairman Abbas agreed to form a [[Palestinian government of March 2007| unity government]]. Haniyeh resigned on [[15 February]] [[2007]] as part of the agreement. The unity government was finally formed on [[18 March]] [[2007]] under [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Prime Minister]] [[Ismail Haniyeh]] and consisted of members from [[Hamas]], [[Fatah]] and other parties and independents. After the [[Battle for Gaza (2007)|takeover in Gaza by Hamas]] on [[14 June]] [[2007]], [[Palestinian Authority]] Chairman [[Mahmoud Abbas]] [[Dissolution of parliament|dismissed]] the government and on [[15 June]] [[2007]] appointed [[Salam Fayad]] [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Prime Minister]] to form a new government. Though the new government's authority is claimed to extend to all Palestinian territories, in effect it is limited to the Palestinian Authority controlled areas of the [[West Bank]]. The Fayad government has won widespread international support. [[Egypt]], [[Jordan]], and [[Saudi Arabia]] said in late June 2007 that the West Bank-based Cabinet formed by Fayad was the sole legitimate Palestinian government, and Egypt moved its embassy from [[Gaza]] to the [[West Bank]].[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/874106.html]. Hamas, which has effective control of the Gaza Strip, faces international diplomatic and economic isolation. === Current events === {{POV-section|date=December 2007}} Since the beginning of the [[Second Intifada]], the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been undermined both in the [[Palestinian territories|Palestinian occupied territories]] ([[Gaza strip]] and [[West Bank]]) and abroad. [[Ariel Sharon]] and the [[George W. Bush administration]] refused to negotiate with [[Yasser Arafat]], leader of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] (PLO) and former president of the PA, whom they asserted formed "part of the problem" (concerning the [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]]) and not of its solution {{Fact|date=February 2007}}&mdash; this despite Arafat's signature of the 1993 [[Oslo Accords]]. In January 2006, [[Hamas]] won the [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|legislative elections]], and thus replaced Arafat's [[Fatah]] as leading party of the [[Palestinian people]]. The PNA is therefore now led by president [[Mahmoud Abbas]] (Fatah), [[Palestinian presidential election, 2005|elected in January 2005]], and by [[Prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority|prime minister]] [[Ismail Haniyah]] (Hamas). However, on [[February 15]], [[2007]] Ismail Haniyah resigned his post clearing the way for a government of national unity. Israel has accused the Palestinian Authority of ignoring and covertly sponsoring the violence against Israelis. The prolonged support and participation of his (Yaser Arafat's?) own private militia, the [[Fatah]], in suicide bombings, reinforces that claim. This view has been officially accepted by the United States in summer 2002, which decided then to halt most sorts of negotiations with the current Palestinian authority, pending a fundamental organizational change. The US [[Council on Foreign Relations]] [[think tank]] has declared the Palestinian Authority under Arafat a haven for terrorism {{Fact|date=February 2007}}. During the Intifada, Israel has often targeted Palestinian Authority personnel and resources. In particular, many of the people arrested, assassinated or killed in action because of their alleged terrorist activities, were employees of the Palestinian Authority's security forces or militias. In [[Operation Defensive Shield]] Israel has captured documents that allegedly prove that the Palestinian Authority officially sponsors "terrorist activities", which are carried out by its personnel as "shadow jobs". For instance, Israel arrested and convicted [[Marwan Barghouti]], a prominent leader of Fatah, for his role as leader of the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]]. Barghouti maintains his innocence, and rejects the impartiality of the Israeli courts. Israel has also targeted Palestinian Authority infrastructure; in particular it has closed and destroyed parts of the Palestinian sea and air ports, that were used, it claimed, to transport terrorists and their equipment. Israel's incursions during the Intifada also led to damage to some of the Palestinian computer infrastructure, though it is not clear to what extent it was deliberate. These moves were criticized by the Palestinians, who claim that the Palestinian Authority is nearing collapse, and is no longer able to carry out its internal and external obligations. This is because these repeated degradations of PA resources and infrastructure have led to complaints by the PA and some of its [[EU]] funders that Israel is deliberately hobbling the PA to restrict its powers of law enforcement in order to present an image of terrorism and lawlessness in the Palestinian Territories. On [[July 7]], [[2004]], the [[Quartet on the Middle East|Quartet]] of [[Middle East]] mediators informed [[Ahmed Qurei]], Prime Minister of 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"<ref>{{cite web | title=Mediators tell Palestinians to reform or lose aid | work=ChinaDaily.com | url=http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-07/08/content_346590.htm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[July 18]], [[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 the Palestinian Authority.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bataille pour le trésor de l'OLP | work=LeFigaro.fr | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041109092145/www.lefigaro.fr/ | accessmonthday=February 6 | accessyear=2005}}</ref> :In order for there to be a Palestinian state, it is essential for its leaders to be open to reform and be dedicated to their people. :The problem of the Palestinians is a territorial one &ndash; they have no state and they have no leaders. Palestinians that want change need to demand that a security force be established. The real problem is that there is no leadership that is able to say 'help us establish a state and we will fight terror and answer the needs of the Palestinians'. Following Arafat's death on [[November 11]], [[2004]], [[Rawhi Fattuh]], 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.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Basic Law | work=miftah.org | url=http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=790&CategoryId=10 | accessmonthday=May 29 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> : ''If the office of the President of the National Authority becomes vacant due to any of the above cases, the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council shall assume the powers and duties of the Presidency of the National Authority, temporarily for a period not exceeding (60) sixty days, during which free and direct elections to choose a new president shall take place in accordance with the Palestinian Elections Law.'' On [[19 April]], [[2005]], [[Vladimir Putin]] the president of [[Russia]] agreed to aid the Palestinian Authority stating, "We support 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."<ref>{{cite web | title= Putin offers to help Palestinians | work=BBC.co.uk | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4496273.stm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> In August 2005, [[Prime minister of Israel|Israeli Prime minister]] [[Ariel Sharon]] began his [[Israeli unilateral disengagement plan|unilateral disengagement plan]] from the impoverished [[Gaza strip]]. This increased the percentage of land in Gaza nominally governed by the PNA from 60 percent to 100 percent. In December 2006, [[Ismail Haniyeh]], Prime Minister of 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"<ref>{{cite news|date=2006-12-08|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-12-08-palestinian-pm_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA|title=Palestinian prime minister vows not to recognize Israel|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> On [[June 14]], [[2007]], the Palestine president [[Mahmoud Abbas]], under the impressions of the [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|Battle of Gaza]], has dismissed the Hamas led government and declared a state of emergency. Since the [[Battle of Gaza (2007)|Hamas attacks]] against Fatah security forces in [[Gaza Strip]] in June 2007, most of the Gaza Strip is under the control of Hamas, whereas the [[West Bank]] remains under the control of [[Fatah]] and the Palestinian president. == Politics and internal structure == {{main|Politics of the Palestinian National Authority}} The Palestinian Authority (PA) has historically been associated with the [[PLO]], with whom [[Israel]] negotiated the [[Oslo Accords]]. The Chairman of the PLO, [[Yasser Arafat]], was elected as President of PA in a [[Palestinian general election, 1996|landslide victory in 1996]]. Subsequent elections were postponed, ostensibly due to the eruption of the [[Al-Aqsa Intifada]] and the Israeli military clampdown that accompanied it. However, internal Palestinian strife was also a reason for the disorganization in government. After Arafat's death in 2004, new elections occurred on both presidential and local levels. Although almost 80% of the employees of the PA were local Palestinians, higher posts were occupied mostly by PLO officials who returned from exile once the PA was established in 1994. To many local Palestinians, these "returnees" were a source of bureaucracy and corruption.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Arafat's administration was criticized for its lack of democracy, wide-spread corruption among officials, and the division of power among families and numerous governmental agencies with overlapping functions. He established over ten distinct security organizations through various mechanisms in an alleged ''[[divide et impera]]'' scheme, which is claimed to have guaranteed an atmosphere of power-struggle in the Authority which enabled him to preserve overall control. Both Israel and the US declared they lost trust in Arafat as 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, Arafat succumbed to domestic and international pressure and appointed [[Mahmoud Abbas]] (Abu Mazen) as prime minister of the PA. Abbas resigned four months later because of lack of support from Israel, the US, and Arafat himself. He was later chosen as his [[Fatah]] party's candidate for president of the PA in 2004 after the death of Arafat. He won the presidency on [[January 9]], [[2005]] with 62% of the vote. 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:<ref>{{cite web | title=Palestine In Brief | work=POGAR.org | url=http://www.pogar.org/countries/index.asp?cid=14 | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> executive, legislative, and judiciary. The Judiciary Branch has yet to be properly 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 the armed forces. In an amendment to the Basic Law approved in 2003 (and which may or may not become part of the Palestinian constitution once independence is established), the president appoints a "prime minister" who is also chief of the national security services. The prime minister chooses a cabinet of ministers and runs the government, reporting directly to the president. Former prime minister [[Ahmed Qureia]] formed his government on [[February 24]], [[2005]] to wide international praise because, for the first time, most ministries were headed by experts in their field as opposed to political appointees.<ref>{{cite web | title=New Palestinian Cabinet Sworn In | work=CBSNews.com | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/24/world/main676172.shtml | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> The [[Palestinian Legislative Council]] (PLC) is an elected body of 88 representatives and acts as a parliament. The PLC must approve all government cabinet positions proposed by the prime minister, and must also confirm the prime minister himself upon nomination by the president. As opposed to other Arab countries, the PLC has historically demonstrated considerable power, and has frequently caused changes in government appointments through threats of no-confidence votes. Many critical votes are won in the government's favor without an outright majority. Since the death of Arafat, the PLC has reinvigorated its activity, and commonly summons senior executive officials to testify before it. Parliamentary elections were conducted in January 2006 after the recent passage of an overhauled election law that increased the number of seats from 88 to 132. === Political parties and elections === {{elect|List of political parties in the Palestinian National Authority|Elections in the Palestinian National Authority}} 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 [[Palestinian legislative and presidential election, 1996|election]] for president and 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, [[Palestinian presidential election, 2005|elections for the President]] of the Authority were announced for [[January 9]] [[2005]]. The PLO leader [[Mahmoud Abbas]] won 62.3% of the vote, while Dr. [[Mustafa Barghouti]], a physician and independent candidate, won 19.8%.<ref>{{cite web | title=PLO Chairman Abbas officially Wins Palestinian Presidential elections | work=PNA.gov.ps | url=http://www.pna.gov.ps/subject_details2.asp?DocId=1697 | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> {{main|Palestinian presidential election, 2005}} {{Palestinian presidential election, 2005}} On [[May 10]], [[2004]] 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 the [[West Bank]] on [[December 23]], [[2004]]. On [[January 27]], [[2005]], the first round of the [[Palestinian municipal election, 2005|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 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. {{main|Palestinian legislative election, 2006}} {{Palestine legislative election, 2006}} The following organizations, listed in alphabetic order, have taken part in recent elections inside the Palestinian National Authority: *[[Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] (''Al-Jabhah al-Dimuqratiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin'') *[[Fatah]] or [[Liberation Movement of Palestine]] (''Harakat al-Tahrâr al-Filistini'') *[[Hamas]] or [[Islamic Resistance Movement]] (''Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyah'') *[[Palestine Democratic Union]] (''al-Ittihad al-Dimuqrati al-Filastini'', FiDA) *[[Palestinian National Initiative]] (''al-Mubadara al-Wataniya al-Filistiniyya'') *[[Palestinian People's Party]] (''Hizb al-Sha'b al-Filastini'') *[[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] (''Al-Jabhah al-sha'abiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin'') [[October 2006]] polls have shown that [[Fatah]] and [[Hamas]] have equal strength. [http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=113212] On [[June 14]], [[2007]], after the [[Battle of Gaza (2007)]], Palestine president [[Mahmoud Abbas]] has dismissed the Hamas led government, leaving the government under his control for 30 days, after which the temporary government has to be approved by the Palestinian Legislative Council. [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/14/gaza/index.html] ==Administrative divisions== After the signing of the [[Oslo Accords]], the [[West bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]] were divided into areas (A, B, and C) and [[governorates of Palestine|governorates]]. Area A refers to the area under [[Palestinian Authority|PA]] security and civilian control. Area B refers to the area under [[Palestinian]] civilian and [[Israel]]i security control. Area C refers to the area under full Israeli control such as settlements. Since the [[Battle of Gaza (2007)]] most of the Gaza Strip is in control of the [[Hamas]] with the [[Palestinian Authority|PA]] stating it is officially no longer in control of the Gaza Strip. [http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/14/gaza/index.html] [[Image:Palestine election map.PNG|thumb|right|300px|Map showing governorates and areas of formal Palestinian control (Areas A and B in dark green)]] The PNA divides the Palestinian territories into [[Governorates of the Palestinian National Authority|16 governorates]] *[[Jenin Governorate]] *[[Tubas Governorate]] *[[Nablus Governorate]] *[[Tulkarm Governorate]] *[[Salfit Governorate]] *[[Qalqilya Governorate]] *[[Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate]] *[[Jericho Governorate]] *[[Jerusalem Governorate]] *[[Bethlehem Governorate]] *[[Hebron Governorate]] *[[North Gaza Governorate]] *[[Gaza Governorate]] *[[Deir el-Balah Governorate]] *[[Khan Yunis Governorate]] *[[Rafah Governorate]] {{see also|districts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip}}, {{see also|List of cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip}} == Economy == {{See|Palestinian economy}} Following the 2006 legislative elections, won by [[Hamas]], Israel has ceased transferring the $55 million tax-receipts to the PA; since the PA has no access point (ports, airports, etc.) to receive taxes, it is Israel that is charged with this duty. These funds accounted for a third of the PA's budget, two thirds of its proper budget, and ensure the wages of 160 000 Palestinian civil servants (among them 60 000 security and police officers), on which a third of the Palestinian population is dependent. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} Israel has also decided to increase controls on check-point, which has been since the beginning of the [[Second Intifada]] a main cause of the 2001-2002 economic recession, which the [[World Bank]] has compared to the [[Great Depression|1929 economic crisis]]. Furthermore, the US and the EU have stopped direct aid to the PA, while the US imposed a financial blockade on PA's banks, impeding some of the [[Arab League]]'s funds (e.g. [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Qatar]]) from being transferred to the PA.<ref name="LemondeA"> {{fr icon}} {{Cite news | title=Le Quartet cherche une solution à la banqueroute palestinienne | date=May 9, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-09 | publisher=[[Le Monde]] | url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3218,36-769645,0.html}} </ref> On May 6 and 7, 2006, hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated in Gaza and the West Bank demanding payment of their wages. Tension between Hamas and [[Fatah]] has been slowly risen with the "economic squeeze" on the PA.<ref name="BBC8"> {{Cite news | title=Three die in Fatah-Hamas clashes | date=May 8, 2006 | accessdate=2006-05-09 | publisher=[[BBC News]] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4983510.stm}} </ref> The [[United Nations|UN institution]] underlines that [[unemployment]], which was estimated to 23% in 2005, would increase to 39% in 2006, while [[poverty]], estimated at 44%, would increase to 67% in 2006.<ref name="LemondeA"/> === Foreign aid and budget deficit === Due to the specific conditions of the [[Palestinian territories|disputed territories]], the Palestinian Authority (PA) has received unprecedented financial support from the international community. According to the [[World Bank]], USD $929 million were given by the international community to the PNA in 2001, $891 million in 2003 and $1.1 billion in 2005 (representing 53% of the [[budget]] in 2005). The main objectives are support to the budget, [[development aid]] and [[public health]]. In 2003, the US funded $224 million, the EU $187 million, the [[Arab League]] $124 million, [[Norway]] $53 million, the World Bank $50 million, the [[United Kingdom]] $43 million, [[Italy]] $40 million, and the last $170 million by others. According to the World Bank, the [[budget deficit]] was about of $800 million in 2005, with nearly half of it financed by donors. "The PA's fiscal situation has become increasingly unsustainable mainly as a result of uncontrolled government consumption, in particular a rapidly increasing public sector wage bill, expanding social transfer schemes and rising net lending," said the World Bank report. Government corruption is widely seen as the cause of much of the PA financial difficulties. === Economic sanctions following January 2006 legislative elections === {{main|Economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority}} Following the [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|January 2006 legislative elections]], won by [[Hamas]], the [[Quartet on the Middle East|Quartet]] threatened to cut funds to the Palestinian Authority. On [[February 2]], [[2006]], according to the [[Agence France Presse|AFP]], the PNA accused Israel of "practicing collective punishment after it snubbed US calls to unblock funds owed to the Palestinians." Prime minister [[Ahmed Qorei]] "said he was hopeful of finding alternative funding to meet the budget shortfall of around 50 million dollars, needed to pay the wages of public sector workers, and which should have been handed over by Israel on the first of the month." The US Department criticized Israel for refusing to quickly unblock the funds. The funds were later unblocked.<ref>{{cite news | title=Palestinian fury at Israeli refusal to unblock funds | publisher=Agence France Presse |date=February 2, 2006 | url=http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/060202134608.c3rt2alw.html}}</ref> However, the ''New York Times'' alleged on [[February 14]], [[2006]] that a "destabilization plan" of the United States and Israel, aimed against [[Hamas]], winner of the January 2006 legislative elections, centered "largely on money" and cutting all funds to the PA once Hamas takes power, in order to delegitimize it in the eyes of the Palestinians. According to the news article, "The Palestinian Authority has a monthly cash deficit of some $60 million to $70 million after it receives between $50 million and $55 million a month from Israel in taxes and customs duties collected by Israeli officials at the borders but owed to the Palestinians." Beginning March 2006, "the Palestinian Authority will face a cash deficit of at least $110 million a month, or more than $1 billion a year, which it needs to pay full salaries to its 140,000 employees, who are the breadwinners for at least one-third of the Palestinian population. The employment figure includes some 58,000 members of the security forces, most of which are affiliated with the defeated [[Fatah]] movement." Since [[January 25]] elections, "the Palestinian stock market has already fallen about 20 percent", while the "Authority has exhausted its borrowing capacity with local banks."<ref>{{cite news | title=U.S. and Israelis Are Said to Talk of Hamas Ouster | publisher=The New York Times |date=February 14, 2006 | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/14/international/middleeast/14mideast.html?ei=5094&en=d28cff5caa1702fa&hp=&ex=1139979600&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print}}</ref> ===Use of European Union assistance=== In February 2004, it was reported that the [[European Union]] (EU) anti-fraud office ([[OLAF]]) was studying documents suggesting that [[Yasser Arafat]] and the Palestinian Authority had diverted tens of millions of dollars in EU funds to organizations involved in terrorist attacks, such as the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades]]. However, in August 2004, a provisional assessment stated that "To date, there is no evidence that funds from the non-targeted EU Direct Budget Assistance to the Palestinian Authority have been used to finance illegal activities, including terrorism."<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = OLAF |date=August 10, 2004 | title = OLAF Investigation Into EU Budget Assistance for the Palestinian Authority | url = http://europa.eu.int/comm/anti_fraud/press_room/pr/2004/15_en.html}}</ref> A separate EU "Working Group" also issued a report in April 2004, adopted by a 7-6 vote, which covers the period from the end of 2000 to the end of 2002, stating that EU aid has not been siphoned off to Palestinian militants carrying out attacks on Israelis: "There is no conclusive evidence, to date, that the EU non-targeted direct budgetary support was used to finance illegal activities, including the financing of terrorism". Furthermore, the EU has changed the way it funded the Palestinians and now uses targeted aid for specific purposes. From April 2003, money is only handed over if various conditions are met, such as the presentation of invoices for bills the Palestinians need to pay. The EU remains the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority. ===Payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons === On [[July 22]], [[2004]], Salam Fayyad, PNA Minister of Finance, in an article in the Palestinian weekly, ''The Jerusalem Times'', detailed the following payments to Palestinians imprisoned by the [[Israel]]i authorities:<ref>{{cite web | title=A settlement for the prisoners | work=Jerusalem-Times.net | url=http://www.jerusalem-times.net/article/news/details/detail.asp?id=449&edition=539 | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}} Subscription only.</ref> # Prisoner allowances increased between June 2002 and June 2004 to $9.6m monthly, an increase of 246 percent compared with January 1995-June 2002. # Between June 2002 and June 2004, 77 million shekels were delivered to prisoners, compared to 121 million between January 1995 and June 2002, which is an increase of 16 million shekels yearly. The increase of annual spending between the two periods registers 450 percent, which is much higher than the percentage of increase of the number of prisoners. # Between 2002 and 2004, the PNA paid 22 million shekels to cover other expenses &mdash; lawyers’ fees, fines, and allocations for released prisoners. This includes lawyers’ fees paid directly by the PNA and fees paid through the Prisoners Club. ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of the Palestinian territories}} ==Education== {{main|Education in the Palestinian territories}} According the a ministrial statistic conducted in [[September 2005]], there are 2,267 schools in general education, 31,001 classes, 1,078,488 students, and 48,674 teachers in the [[Palestinian territories]]. 24% of schools are [[UNRWA]]-operated, 70% are governmental, and 6% are private. Palestine also enjoys as one of highest educated countries in the Arab World. Another statistic conducted in [[May 2005]] shows that there are 138,139 students enrolled in Higher Education Institutions. Between these students, 9,002 (6.5%) are in [[Community colleges|(community colleges)]], 6,034 (4.4%) in [[University college|(University colleges)]], 46,453 (33.6%) in [[Al-Quds Open University]], and 76,650 (55.5%) in traditional universities. List of Universities and Colleges in Palestine: * [http://www.ccast.edu.ps/ Community College of Applied Science and Technology (Gaza)] * [http://www.alquds.edu/ Alquds University (Alquds/Abu Dees)] * [http://www.birzeit.edu/ Birzeit University (Birzeit/Ramallah)] * [http://www.bethlehem.edu/ Bethlehem University (Bethlehem)] * [http://www.najah.edu/ An-Najah N. University (Nablus)] * [http://www.qudsopenu.edu/ Alquds Open University] * [http://www.iugaza.edu.ps/ Islamic University - Gaza (Gaza)] * [http://www.alazhar-gaza.edu/ Al-Azhar University of Gaza (Gaza)] * [http://www.alaqsa.edu.ps/ Al-Aqsa University (Gaza)] * [http://www.aauj.edu/ Arab-American University - Jenin (Al-Zababdeh)] * [http://www.planet.edu/~hebronun/ Hebron (Al-Khalil) University (Al-Khalil)] * [http://www.ppi.edu/ Palestine Polytechnic Institute (PPI) (Hebron)] * [http://www.ibrahimieh.edu/ Ibrahimieh College (Alquds)] * [http://www.bethlehembiblecollege.edu/ Bethlehem Bible College (Bethlehem)] * [http://www.ptcdb.edu.ps/ Palestine Technical College (Deir Elbalah)] ==Transportation== {{main|Transportation in Palestine}} ==Palestinian culture== {{main|Palestinian culture}} == Lawlessness in Palestinian areas== === Violence against civilians === The [[Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group]] reports "''everyday disagreements and clashes between the various political factions, families and cities that a complete picture of Palestinian society is painted. These divisions have during the course of the al Aqsa Intifada also led to an increasingly violent ‘Intrafada’. In the 10 year period from 1993 to 2003, 16% of Palestinian civilian deaths were caused by Palestinian groups or individuals''."<ref>{{cite web | title=The 'Intra'fada | work=PHRMG.org | url=http://www.phrmg.org/intrafada.htm| accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Erika Waak reports in [[The Humanist]] "''Of the total number of Palestinian civilians killed during this period by both Israeli and Palestinian security forces, 16 percent were the victims of Palestinian security forces.''" Accusations of collaboration with Israel are used to target and kill individual Palestinians: "''Those who are convicted have either been caught helping Israelis, spoken out against Arafat, or are involved in rival criminal gangs, and these individuals are hanged after summary trials. Arafat creates an environment where the violence continues while silencing would-be critics, and although he could make the violence impossible, he doesn't stop it.''" [[Freedom House]]'s annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, Freedom in the World 2001-2002, reports "''Civil liberties declined due to: shooting deaths of Palestinian civilians by Palestinian security personnel; the summary trial and executions of alleged collaborators by the Palestinian Authority (PA); extra-judicial killings of suspected collaborators by militias; and the apparent official encouragement of Palestinian youth to confront Israeli soldiers, thus placing them directly in harm's way.''"<ref>{{cite web | author=Waak, Erika | year=2003| title=Violence among the Palestinians | work=Humanist | url=http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_1_63/ai_96417155 | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Palestinian security forces have, as of March 2005, not made any arrests for the October 2003 killing of three American members of a diplomatic convoy in the [[Gaza Strip]]. [[Moussa Arafat]], head of the Palestinian Military Intelligence and a cousin of then Palestinian Authority Chairman [[Yasser Arafat]] has stated that, regarding the United States pressure to arrest the killers; "They know that we are in a very critical position and that clashing with any Palestinian party under the presence of the occupation is an issue that will present many problems for us". Since the October 2003 attack, United States diplomats have been banned from entering the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{cite web | title= PA: We can't arrest those behind deadly strike on U.S. convoy | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041009145241/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/480576.html | accessmonthday=August 22 | accessyear=2004}}</ref> It is claimed that some of the [[smuggling tunnels]] connecting [[Egypt]] and the [[Gaza Strip]] are controlled by one of the Palestinian Authority security services under Moussa Arafat's command. He is accused of receiving a portion of the profits derived from the smuggling tunnels.<ref>{{cite web | title=Fatah revolt against Arafat brings chaos to Gaza Strip | work=Independent.co.uk | url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=542373 | accessmonthday=March 5 | accessyear=2005}}</ref> During 2007 many Western and Christian targets were attacked in the West Bank and Gaza. Members of local gangs and terror cells blew up and destroyed institutions linked to Western culture such as American schools, church libraries and dozens of Internet cafes. These events were largely ignored by the media.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ignoring the chaos, by Avi Issacharoff | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/855677.html | accessmonthday=May 5 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> === Violence against officials === On [[October 15]], [[2003]], three members of a [[United States]] diplomatic convoy were killed and additional members of the convoy wounded three kilometers south of the Erez Crossing into the Gaza Strip by a [[Palestinian terrorism|terrorist]] bomb. The perpetrators remain at large. In February 2004 [[Ghassan Shaqawa]] (the mayor of [[Nablus]]) filed his resignation from office in protest of the [[Palestinian Authority]]'s lack of action against the armed militias rampaging the city and the multiple attempts by some Palestinians to assassinate him. Gaza's police chief, General Saib al-Ajez, later would say: "This internal conflict between police and the militants cannot happen. It is forbidden. We are a single nation and many people know each other and it is not easy to kill someone who is bearing a weapon to defend his nation."<ref>{{cite web | title= Palestinians face crucial Gaza test | work=BBC.co.uk | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4196495.stm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Through the first three months of 2004, a number of attacks on journalists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been blamed on the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]], most clearly the attack on the Arab television station [[Al-Arabiya]]'s West Bank offices by masked men self-identifying as members of the Brigades. Palestinian journalists in Gaza called a general strike on [[February 9]] to protest this rising violence against journalists. Karen Abu Zayd, deputy commissioner general for the [[UNRWA|UN Relief and Works Agency]] in the Gaza Strip stated on [[February 29]], [[2004]]: "What has begun to be more visible is the beginning of the breakdown of law and order, all the groups have their own militias, and they are very organized. It's factions trying to exercise their powers."<ref>{{cite web | title=Palestinian Authority Broke and In Disarray | work=WashingtonPost.com | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A17536-2004Feb29?language=printer | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> [[Ghazi al-Jabali]], the [[Gaza Strip]] Chief of Police, since 1994 has been the target of repeated attacks by [[Palestinian]]s. In March 2004, his offices were targeted by gunfire. In April 2004, a bomb was detonated destroying the front of his house. In [[July 17]], [[2004]], he was kidnapped at the at gunpoint following an [[ambush]] of his convoy and [[wound]]ing of two bodyguards. He was released several hours later.<ref>{{cite web | title=Gaza police chief kidnapped, freed | work=Dawn.com | url=http://www.dawn.com/2004/07/17/int6.htm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> Less than six hours later, Colonel Khaled Abu Aloula, director of military coordination in the southern part of Gaza was abducted. On [[July 17]] eve, Fatah movement members kidnapped 5 [[France|French]] citizens (3 men and 2 women) and held hostage in [[Red crescent|Red Crescent Society]] building in [[Khan Yunis]]: :Palestinian security officials said that the kidnapping was carried out by the Abu al-Rish Brigades, accused of being linked to [[Palestinian Authority]] Chairman [[Yasser Arafat]]'s [[Fatah]] faction.<ref>{{cite web | title= 4 French aid workers, Palestinian officials seized in Gaza | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/452469.html | accessmonthday=July 17 | accessyear=2004}}</ref> On [[July 18]], Arafat replaced [[Ghazi al-Jabali]], with his nephew [[Moussa Arafat]], sparking violent riots in [[Rafah]] and [[Khan Yunis]] in which members of the [[al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]] burned PA offices and opened fire on Palestinian policemen. During the riots at least one Palestinian was killed and dozen more seriously wounded. On [[July 20]], [[2004]] David Satterfield, the second-in-charge at the United States Department of State Near East desk stated in hearing before the Senate that the Palestinian Authority has failed to arrest the [[Palestinian terrorism|Palestinian terrorist]]s who [[murder]]ed three members of an American [[diplomat]]ic [[convoy]] traveling in the [[Gaza Strip]] on [[October 15]], [[2003]]. Satterfield states: :There has been no satisfactory resolution of this case. We can only conclude that there has been a political decision taken by the chairman ([[Yasser Arafat]]) to block further progress in this investigation. On [[July 21]], [[Nabil Amar]], former Minister of Information and a cabinet member and a member of the [[Palestinian Legislative Council]], was shot by masked gunmen, after an interview to a TV channel in which he criticized [[Yasser Arafat]] and called for reforms in the PA.<ref>{{cite web | title=Israel halts funds for Palestinians, Abbas slams move | work=News. Yahoo.com | url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/mideast_dc | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}h</ref> Regarding the descent into chaos Cabinet minister [[Qadura Fares]] stated on [[July 21]], [[2004]]: :Every one of us is responsible. [[Yasser Arafat|Arafat]] is the most responsible for the failure. President Arafat failed and the Palestinian government failed, the Palestinian political factions failed.<ref>{{cite web | title=Title | work=NYTimes.com | url=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Palestinians-Parliament.html | accessdate= | accessyear=Year}}</ref> On [[July 22]], [[2004]], The [[United Nations]] elevated its threat warning level for the [[Gaza Strip]] to "Phase Four" (one less than the maximum "Phase Five") and plans to evacuate non-essential foreign staff from the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{cite web | title=Title | work=Reuters.com | url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5743863 | accessdate=Month Day | accessyear=Year}}</ref> The firing of [[Qassam rocket]]s from the [[Gaza Strip]] into [[Israel]] is strongly opposed by those living closest to the firing location due to frequent Israeli military responses to Qassam rocket launches. On [[July 23]], [[2004]], an Arab boy was shot and killed by [[Palestinian terrorism|Palestinian terrorist]]s of the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]] after he and his family physically opposed their attempt to set up a Qassam rocket launcher outside the family's house. Five other individuals were wounded in the incident.<ref>{{cite web | title= Attempted Kassam Launch Leads to the Death of an Arab Child | work=IsraelNN.com | url=http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=66197 | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Group Says New Israeli Expansion Breaks Vow | work=NYTimes.com | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/international/middleeast/23CND-MIDE.html?hp | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Gaza youth shot dead; Arafat says PA not in crisis | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040726043850/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/455377.html | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Teen dies in Palestinian clash | work=BBC.co.uk | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3920181.stm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[July 25]], [[2004]], 20 members of the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]] seized the governor's office in the [[Gaza Strip]] town of Khan Yunis. Among their demands are that [[Yasser Arafat]]'s cousin, Moussa Arafat be dismissed from his post as chief of general security in Gaza. In a separate attack, unidentified persons stormed a police station and burned the structure causing extensive damage. On [[July 31]], Palestinian kidnappers in [[Nablus]] seized 3 foreign nationals, an [[United States|American]], [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Ireland|Irish]] citizen. They were later released. Also, a PA security forces HQ building was burnt down in [[Jenin]] by the [[al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]]. A leader of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades said they torched the building because new mayor Qadorrah Moussa, appointed by Arafat, had refused to pay salaries to Al Aqsa members or to cooperate with the group.<ref>{{cite web | title=Israel halts funds for Palestinians, Abbas slams move | work=News. Yahoo.com | url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/mideast_dc | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[August 8]], [[2004]] the Justice Minister Nahed Arreyes resigned stating that he has been stripped of much of his authority over the legal system. The year before, [[Yasser Arafat]] created a rival agency to the Justice Ministry and was accused of continuing to control the judiciary and in particular the state prosecutors.<ref>{{cite web | title=Palestinian minister quits to protest lack of power | work=WashingtonTimes.com | url=http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040807-112344-3852r.htm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[August 10]], [[2004]], a report by an investigation committee [[Palestinian Legislative Council]] for the reasons for the anarchy and chaos in the PA was [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/462724.html published] by [[Haaretz]] daily newspaper. The report puts the main blame on [[Yasser Arafat]] and the PA's security forces, which "have failed to make a clear political decision to end it". The report states, :"The main reason for the failure of the Palestinian security forces and their lack of action in restoring law and order" ... :"is the total lack of a clear political decision and no definition of their roles, either for the long term or the short." The report also calls to stop shooting [[Qassam rocket]]s and mortar shells on Israeli settlements because of it hurts "Palestinian interests". Hakham Balawi sais: :"... It is prohibited to launch rockets and to fire weapons from houses, and that is a supreme Palestinian interest that should not be violated because the result is barbaric retaliation by the occupying army and the citizenry cannot accept such shooting. Those who do it are a certain group that does not represent the people and nation, doing it without thinking about the general interest and public opinion in the world and in Israel. There is no vision or purpose to the missiles; the Palestinian interest is more important"<ref>{{cite web | title= Palestinian lawmakers: Arafat evading promises of reform | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041011130341/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/462724.html | accessmonthday=August 11 | accessyear=2004}}</ref> Despite the criticism against [[Yasser Arafat]], the troubles continued. On [[August 24]], the Lieutenant Commander of the Palestinian General Intelligence in the [[Gaza Strip]], Tareq Abu-Rajab, was shot by group of armed men. He was seriously injured.<ref>{{cite web | title=Israel halts funds for Palestinians, Abbas slams move | work=News. Yahoo.com | url=http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/mideast_dc | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[August 31]], the Jenin Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of [[the Popular Resistance Committees]], threaten to kill Minister [[Nabil Shaath]] for participating in a conference in [[Italy]] attended by [[Israel]]i Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, declaring "He will be sentenced to death if he enters. The decision cannot be rescinded, we call upon his bodyguards to abandon his convoy in order to save their lives."<ref>{{cite web | title=Nabil Shaath gets death threat | work=AlJazeera.net | url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/52FB3D32-2E49-4481-8809-2C2B2CE2D44F.htm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[September 8]], Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, threatens to resign, again. Three weeks have elapsed since he retracted is resignation, originally tendered six weeks ago.<ref>{{cite web | title=Egypt mediates between Arafat, Qureia | work=WashingtonTimes.com | url=http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040909-080855-4852r.htm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[October 12]], [[Moussa Arafat]], cousin of [[Yasser Arafat]] and a top security official in the [[Gaza Strip]], survived a [[car bomb]] assassination attempt. Recently the [[Popular Resistance Committees]] threatened Moussa Arafat with retaliation for an alleged attempt to assassinate its leader, Mohammed Nashabat.<ref>{{cite web | title=Arafat cousin survives bomb attack | work=ChinaDaily.com | url=http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-10/13/content_382066.htm | accessmonthday=February 19 | accessyear=2006}}</ref> On [[October 14]], Palestinian Prime Minister [[Ahmed Qurei]] stated that the Palestinian Authority is unable to stop the spreading anarchy. While routinely blaming Israel for the PA's problems, he pointed out that the many PA security forces are hobbled by corruption and factional feuding. Due to the lack of governmentals reforms demanded by international peace mediators, Palestinian legislators demanded Qurei present a report on the matter by October 20, at which point they will decide upon holding a no-confidence vote.<ref>{{cite web | title=Title | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/488826.html | accessdate=Month Day | accessyear=Year}}</ref> On [[October 19]], a group of [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades]] members, led by [[Zakaria Zubeidi]], seized buildings belonging to the Palestinan Finance ministry and Palestinian parliament in [[Jenin]].<ref>{{cite web | title= Israeli soldier killed in West Bank shooting attack | work=Haaretz.com | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041021024647/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/490691.html| accessmonthday=October 20 | accessyear=2004}}</ref> ===Current Palestinian measures to keep law and order=== In 2006, after the [[Hamas]] victory, the Palestinian interior minister formed an Executive Force for the police. However, the PA president objected and after clashes between Hamas and Fatah, a redeployment of the force was made and efforts started in order to integrate it with the police force. ==See also== *[[Palestinian Legislative Council]] *[[State of Palestine]] *[[Governorates of the Palestinian National Authority]] *[[Bethlehem Governorate]] *[[Hebron Governorate]] *[[Jenin Governorate]] *[[Jericho Governorate]] *[[Jerusalem Governorate]] *[[Nablus Governorate]] *[[Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate]] *[[Salfit Governorate]] *[[Tubas Governorate]] *[[Tulkarm Governorate]] *[[List of cities in Palestinian Authority areas]] *[[Palestinian Liberation Army]] *[[Israeli-Palestinian conflict]] **[[Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict]] **[[Palestinian political violence]] **[[Children and minors in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict]] *[[PLO and Hamas]] *[[Palestinian Scout Association]] *[[Postage stamps and postal history of the Palestinian National Authority]] ==Notes and references== <!--<nowiki> See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the<ref> and </ref> tags, and the template below </nowiki>--> {{ #ifeq: 85 | 100% | <references/> | <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2"><references/></div> }} ==External links== {{portal | Palestine}} '''Government''' * [http://www.sis.gov.ps/english/index.html State Information Service] * [http://www.mop.gov.ps/ Ministry of Planning] * [http://www.minfo.gov.ps/en_index.htm Ministry of Information] * [http://www.moehe.gov.ps/ENG/index.html Ministry of Education and Higher Education] * [http://www.mol.gov.ps/english/index.html Ministry of Labor] * [http://www.pal-plc.org/ The Palestinian Legislative Council] (Arabic) * [http://www.met.gov.ps/DesktopDefault.aspx?lng=1 Ministry of the National Economy] * [http://www.nad-plo.org/ Negotiations Affairs Department] * [http://www.pecdar.org/ pecdar] * [http://www.palestine-pmc.com/ Palestine Media Center] '''General information''' * [http://www.palestinianbasiclaw.org/ The Palestinian Basic Law - A collection of various propsals and amendments to the Basic Law of Palestine] * [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/mideast/cuvlm/Palestine.html Columbia University Libraries - ''Palestine''] directory category of the WWW-VL * [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Middle_East/Palestinian_Territory/Government/ Open Directory Project - Palestinian Territory Government] directory category * [http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Regions/Middle_East/Countries_and_Regions/Palestinian_Authority/ Yahoo! - Palestinian Authority] directory category * [http://www.terrorismanswers.com/havens/palestine.html Council on Foreign Relations - Palestinian Authority] * [http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1038488927273 British Foreign & Commonwealth office - Palestine National Authority] * [http://imeu.net/news/article0047.shtml What is the "Palestinian Authority"? - Institute for Middle East Understanding] '''Other''' * [http://www.p-p-o.com/Eng/defultE.htm PA President Yasser Arafat] memorial site * [http://www.ict.org.il/articles/articledet.cfm?articleid=79 Israeli Institute for Combatting Terrorism - The Palestinian Security Services: Between Police and Army] * [http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP67504 MEMRI - Daily Life in the Palestininian Authority] * [http://www.memri.org/palestinian.html MEMRI - Special Dispatch / Inquiry and Analysis Series for Palestinian Authority] * [http://www.phrmg.org/intrafada.htm The 'Intra'fada] or 'Chaos of the Weapons', An Analysis of Internal Palestinian Violence by the [[Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group]] * [http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/1999/issue2/jv3n2a5.html The Palestinian Security Services: Between Police and Army] [http://meria.idc.ac.il/ Mideast Review of International Affairs] Volume 3, No. 2&mdash;June 1999 *[http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/arabs/pathreat.html US-Israel.org - Palestinian Authority Threatens Cameraman] Prevents Broadcast of Palestinians Celebrating Attack on U.S. (September 11-13, 2001) * [http://www.intelligence.org.il/eng/var/e_r/er_a1103.htm Israeli Intelligence - Peace Against Truth: When Peace Movements Reinforce Evil] On funding sources of uses by the Palestinian Authority and [[PLO]] * [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull%26cid=1086058008426 Jerusalem Post - Engineering civilian casualties] (registration required) ([http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=21044 reprint] free access) * [http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-07/08/content_346590.htm China Daily - Mediators Tell Palestinians to Reform or Lose Aid] * [http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&article_id=6518&categ_id=17 Daily Star - Time has come for a long, hard look inside the Palestinian Authority] (Lebanese Daily Newspaper) *[http://users.skynet.be/diab/Europe/Hamas.htm The EU's new Palestine dilemma by Khaled Diab] *[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3020634,00.html Palestinian Authority Profile on Ynet News], Real-time news about the Israeli Palestinian conflict, updated daily *[http://www.kibush.co.il/ Occupation Magazine] {{Dependent and other territories of Asia}} {{Afro-Asiatic-speaking}} {{Semitic-speaking}} {{Quartet on the Middle East|state=collapsed}} {{Arab-Israeli Conflict}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Palestinian National Authority|*]] [[Category:Palestinian politics]] [[Category:Palestinian nationalism]] [[Category:Fatah-Hamas conflict]] [[Category:Proposed countries]] [[Category:1994 establishments]] [[Category:Arabic-speaking countries]] <!--Other languages--> <includeonly></includeonly> [[ar:سلطة وطنية فلسطينية]] [[frp:Ôtoritât palèstinièna]] [[be-x-old:Палестынская аўтаномія]] [[bs:Palestina]] [[br:Palestina]] [[bg:Палестинска автономия]] [[ca:Autoritat Palestina de Cisjordània i la Franja de Gaza]] [[cs:Palestinská autonomie]] [[da:Det palæstinensiske selvstyre]] [[de:Palästinensische Autonomiebehörde]] [[et:Palestiina]] [[es:Autoridad Nacional Palestina]] [[eo:Palestina Aŭtonomio]] [[eu:Palestinako Aginte Nazionala]] [[fr:Autorité palestinienne]] [[ko:팔레스타인 자치 정부]] [[id:Otoritas Nasional Palestina]] [[it:Autorità Nazionale Palestinese]] [[he:הרשות הפלסטינית]] [[lv:Palestīna]] [[lij:Palestinn-a - Autòritæ Palestineixe]] [[li:Palestiense Staot]] [[mk:Палестинска самоуправа]] [[ms:Pihak Berkuasa Palestin]] [[nl:Palestijnse Autoriteit]] [[ja:パレスチナ自治政府]] [[no:Den palestinske selvstyremyndigheten]] [[nn:Dei palestinske sjølvstyresmaktene]] [[ps:فلسطين]] [[pms:Palestin-a (ANP)]] [[nds:Palästinensische sülvstregeerte Rebeden]] [[pl:Autonomia Palestyńska]] [[pt:Autoridade Nacional Palestiniana]] [[ro:Autoritatea Naţională Palestiniană]] [[ru:Палестинская автономия]] [[sk:Palestínske autonómne územia]] [[fi:Palestiinalaishallinto]] [[sv:Palestinska myndigheten]] [[te:పాలస్తీనా]] [[tr:Filistin Ulusal Yönetimi]] [[uk:Палестинська автономія]] [[ur:فلسطین]] [[zh:巴勒斯坦民族权力机构]]