Palestinian Leadership Dynamics

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Palestinian Leadership Dynamics

Background:

• There are 14 political groups active in Palestinian Politics but the main three are Fatah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). 
• Fatah is the political party in control of both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). 
  • The PA was created in 1993 as an interim governing body for Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, but East Jerusalem is not governed by the PA). Led by Fatah, it governs the West Bank and Ramallah.
  • The PLO was created in 1964 and is recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people but has no legal authority over internal local governance.
• Hamas and the PIJ are active in the Gaza Strip, with Hamas governing the Gaza Strip since winning the legislative elections in 2006 due to the overwhelming discontent with the PA.
  • Hamas and the PIJ emerged as opposition to the PLO’s secularism and political concessions to Israel in 1987 and 1981 respectively.
  • The PIJ does not participate in Palestinian politics and focuses solely on militarily defeating Israel. 
  • The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli and Egyptian land, air, and sea blockade since 2007. 
• Hamas and Fatah (through the PA) compete against each other for the role of protector/leader of the Palestinian people and movement.

New polling data on Palestinian Politics: 

* Poll in the West Bank and Gaza Strip between June 9-12, 2021. Margin of error +/-3%

• Perception of corruption in PA institutions stands at 84%, the same level as three months ago.
  • 57% indicated that there is corruption in Hamas institutions, a drop from three month ago (70%).
• A slight majority of 56% views the PA as a burden on the Palestinian people, a rise from three months ago (51%).
• 65% oppose and 25% support the decision of President Abbas to postpone legislative and presidential elections.