President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority is set to appoint Muhammad Mustafa, a close economic adviser, as prime minister in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the matter. This decision, if finalized, would signal a rejection of international efforts to bring in an independent prime minister to revitalize the authority.
While Mr. Abbas is leaning towards appointing Mr. Mustafa, he is still consulting with Arab countries before making a final decision. The appointment would require Mr. Abbas to sign a decree, giving the new prime minister three weeks to form a government, with a possible extension of two weeks.
The move comes after Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh resigned in late February, citing the need for a new government to address the evolving situation in Gaza. The recent conflict between Hamas and Israel has raised questions about the governance and reconstruction of the region.
The United States has been pushing for reforms within the Palestinian Authority, hoping it could eventually take over governance in Gaza post-war. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected any such role for the Authority.
Critics view the Palestinian Authority as corrupt and ineffective, with Mr. Abbas ruling by decree for years. The lack of elections in the territories since 2006 has further fueled discontent among the public.
The potential appointment of Mr. Mustafa has sparked debate among analysts, with some seeing it as a continuation of the status quo and others holding out hope for change. The new prime minister will face significant challenges, including rebuilding Gaza and restoring government credibility.
As the situation unfolds, observers are waiting to see the composition of the new government and the level of autonomy its ministers will have. The appointment of Mr. Mustafa may indicate Mr. Abbas’s reluctance to relinquish power, but the true impact of the decision remains to be seen.
