Palestinian PRESIDENT Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Mohammed Mustafa as prime minister (PM). This step was taken by the Palestinian Authority (US) which is facing reform pressure from the United States (US) in the midst of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Mustafa’s appointment is seen as being in line with the US vision to reform the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of Washington’s post-war vision for Gaza. Mustafa, a US-educated economist and politically independent, now faces the task of forming a new government for the PA.
So far, the PA is known to have limited power in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In a statement announcing the appointment on Thursday (14/3), Abbas asked Mustafa to draw up a plan to reunite the governments of the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
This includes leading reforms in government, security services and the economy as well as fighting corruption. Mustafa replaces Mohammed Shtayyeh who resigned in February.
At that time, Shtayyeh said he was stepping down because of the need for change amid Israel’s war in Gaza and increasing violence in the occupied West Bank. The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, dominated by the Fatah party, exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank.
However, they lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007. The Palestinian Authority also aims to reunite governance on Palestinian land after facing major obstacles, including stiff opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a devastating war that is still ongoing with no end in sight.
Also read: Abbas Rejects Israel’s Control of Gaza
Fatah and Hamas are expected to meet in Moscow this week for talks. Mustafa has held senior positions at the World Bank. Previously, the 69 year old figure served as deputy PM and minister of economy.
In 2015, Abbas appointed Mustafa as chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), which owns assets and finances projects worth nearly US$1 billion across the occupied Palestinian territories.
He served as deputy PM in charge of economic affairs from 2013 to 2014. He also chaired a committee tasked with rebuilding Gaza after a seven-week war that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians.
Also read: Blinken Urges Israel to Save Gaza Civilians
The Impact of the Israeli Invasion of Gaza
Speaking in Davos in January, Mustafa said the disaster and humanitarian impact of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza was far greater than a decade ago.
At least 31,341 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, most of its 2.3 million residents have been displaced and are in dire need of aid, and much of the enclave is now reduced to rubble.
Also read: Waiting for the results of the summit meeting between Jordan, Egypt and Palestine regarding Gaza
Biden administration officials have urged Abbas to bring in new figures. That includes technocrats and economic experts, into a revamped Palestinian government to help govern post-war Gaza.
But it is unclear whether the appointment of a new cabinet led by a close Abbas ally will be enough to meet US reform demands. Because the 88 year old president will remain in full control.
Israel, meanwhile, said it would never cooperate with a Palestinian government that refuses to reject Hamas and its Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel.
Also read: Israel will again send its envoy to Madrid after the polemic with Spain
Mustafa, in his remarks in Davos, described the October 7 attacks as unfortunate for everyone.
“But this is also a symptom of a larger problem that the Palestinian people have suffered for 75 years without end. “Until now, we still believe that statehood for Palestine is the way forward, so we hope that this time we can make it happen, so that all people in the region can live in safety and peace,” concluded Mustafa.
(Al Jazeera/Z-9)
#Mahmoud #Abbas #Appoints #Mohammed #Mustafa #Prime #Minister #Palestine