Palestinian PM Resigns Amid Calls for Unity Government
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Salma Hossein
- . February 26, 2024
- . Update: February 26, 2024 5:58 pm
The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, announced his resignation on Monday, citing the need for a broad consensus among Palestinians regarding political arrangements in the aftermath of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Pressure for Change from the United States
The move comes amidst growing pressure from the United States on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to restructure the Palestinian Authority. International efforts have intensified to stop the fighting in Gaza and begin work on a political structure to govern the enclave after the war.
Acceptance of Resignation and Interim Arrangements
Shtayyeh’s resignation must still be accepted by Abbas, who may ask him to stay on as a caretaker until a permanent replacement is appointed. In his statement to the cabinet, Shtayyeh, an academic economist who took office in 2019, said the next stage would need to consider the emerging reality in Gaza, which has been devastated by nearly five months of heavy fighting.
Need for Unity and Consensus
He emphasized the need for “new governmental and political arrangements that take into account the emerging reality in the Gaza Strip, the national unity talks, and the urgent need for an inter-Palestinian consensus.” Additionally, he stressed the importance of “extending the Authority’s authority over the entire land, Palestine.”
The Palestinian Authority, formed 30 years ago under the interim Oslo Peace Accords, exercises limited governance over parts of the occupied West Bank but lost power in Gaza following a struggle with Hamas in 2007.
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Efforts for Unity Government and Broader Agreement
Fatah, the faction that controls the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas have made efforts to reach an agreement over a unity government and are due to meet in Moscow on Wednesday. A senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, stated that Shtayyeh’s resignation “only makes sense if it comes within the context of national consensus on arrangements for the next phase.”
The resignation of the Palestinian Prime Minister is seen as a step towards forming a new government that can represent the interests of all Palestinians, including those in Gaza. The call for a broad consensus and a unified political structure highlights the need for unity among Palestinians to address the challenges and uncertainties in the aftermath of the conflict with Israel.
