Palestine: New era for the Palestinian Authority? 

President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mohammad Mustafa as the Palestinian Authority’s new prime minister on 14th March. This move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Palestinian Authority’s role in post-war Gaza and the West Bank, according to the New Arab and agencies. 

This appointment comes three weeks after former prime minister Mohammaed Shtayyeh resigned amidst the PA’s reforms. The appointment of Mustafa signals the paving of a new technocratic government including businessmen and finance specialists.

With a 15-year tenure at the World Bank, and previous experience as both deputy prime minister and economic minister, Mustafa has purportedly received close support from Abbas.

Considering Mustafa is US-educated and politically independent, it is hoped he will be seen as a beacon of neutrality for Palestinian and regional leaders. This is essential for establishing a unified government in both Gaza and the West Bank. However, due to his long-term connection to Abbas, some perceive Mustafa as a Fatah loyalist.

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President Abbas, aged 88, has faced a decline in domestic approval and prompted frustration over his failure to implement reforms combating accused corruption in the PA. His management of the Palestinian economy has also been broadly criticised, with accusations of collaborating with Israel.

There is optimism for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to once again administer both Gaza and the West Bank, following the loss of Gaza to Hamas in 2007 by Abbas’ faction, Fatah.

After working in economic advisory positions for both the Saudi and Kuwaiti governments and heading the Palestine Investment Fund, Mustafa is hoped to be a unifying force in Gaza’s reconstruction which has been devastated after 5 months of war.

The New Arab/agencies