After the security cabinet approved measures to prevent its collapse, the Palestinian Authority rejected Israel's demands that were laid out as a condition for it to implement the measures. On Monday evening the PA's cabinet meeting convened, during which Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh rejected two of the demands set by Israel; an end to the P.A.'s diplomatic moves against Israel in the international arena, and an end to payments to Palestinian terrorists and their families. The latter is a stipulation the P.A. has refused despite many donor nations refusing to send money while the practice is ongoing. In the United States, the Taylor Force Act prohibits the U.S. from sending funds used to pay terrorist salaries and family stipends. Despite this, the administration of Joe Biden has reinstated aid to Palestine after President Trump had canceled it under compliance with Taylor Force.
Prime Minister Shtayyeh called the demands "extortion" and said that Israel must return to the Palestinian Authority the funds it holds in its hands without setting any conditions. "Israel's condition is that we stop our steps in the international arena and in return our funds will be returned to us, this will not happen. Regarding the stopping of the funds for the martyrs and prisoners, that will not happen either.”
Today the Palestinian Authority rejected an Israeli offer to help prevent its collapse in exchange for Palestinian steps to halt key anti-Israel policies.
— FDD (@FDD) July 10, 2023
Analysis from @jschanzer and @JoeTruzman 👇https://t.co/8hYvhY5t22
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also rejected the Israeli demands to stop the Palestinian construction in Area C and the incitement against Israel. In a statement on behalf of the ministry, it was said that "this is an attempt by the Israeli government to mislead public opinion, and to plant an impression that it is apparently implementing the demands of the international community."
According to the ministry, it is not a matter of concessions on behalf of Israel, but of obligations granted to the Palestinians according to the UN law and the agreements between the two parties. "The statements about preventing the collapse of the PA are a continuation of the steps taken by the occupation government to weaken the PA. This is an attempt to hide the steps of the extreme right-wing government that wants to destroy the PA and harm it through the bloody escalation against the Palestinians and their lands." Many analysts agree that the Palestinian Authority, largely seen as unpopular amongst the Palestinian people, relies on the 'pay-to-slay' policy in order to maintain some level of support within the population. However, it is speculated, since there have been no elections since 2005, that if one were held today Hamas and even the Islamic Jihad groups would beat out Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.
Amidst a volatile security situation, #Israel has announced plans to strengthen the #Palestinian Authority, marking a significant move towards fostering stability.#IsraeliApartheid #Thearabposts #MiddleEast https://t.co/gXiFGljHwz
— The Arab Posts (@The_Arab_Posts) July 11, 2023
The announcement by the political-security cabinet that Israel will act to prevent the collapse of the PA caused embarrassment in Ramallah, as it presented the leadership of the Palestinian Authority as a body that depends on Israel's mercy and does not stand on its own. Hamas and other elements were quick to take advantage of the message that came out of Israel and presented it as proof that "Abu Mazen is Israel's helper," using President Abbas' Arabic nickname.
Today @washingtonpost ran this front page, above the fold, story on Israel’s counterterrorist raid in Jenin. Front page, numerous pictures, a thousand plus words *and not a single mention of the Palestinian Authority that is responsible for combatting terror in Jenin* Remarkable pic.twitter.com/mv8O7ONk0U
— Sean Durns (@SeanDurns) July 10, 2023
In the same context, Palestinian sources told Israeli reporters that the very fact that Israel declares its intention to "save the PA" weakens the Palestinian Authority and its leadership in public opinion. "So long as you in Israel talk about strengthening the PA, it creates the opposite results. You weaken it because it shows everyone that it exists because of Israel, and serves Israel's interests and not those of the Palestinian people."
