In two words: Abu Mazen. In 2021, Palestinian parliamentary elections and by extension presidential elections were postponed. Mazen has been in power for 18 years, after election to an original four-year term. The level of corruption within the Palestinian Authority is legendary, with close family members of leaders becoming incredibly wealthy. Rumours abound that Mazen himself is worth eight figures. In short, much of the Palestinian people are disgusted with the systemic corruption. Put another way, if presidential and parliamentary elections are ever held, Fatah will likely suffer an intense reckoning at the polls, particularly if Mazen remains as its presidential candidate.
That means that any talk of the PA running things both on the West Bank and eventually in Gaza is dangerous and destabilizing. No wonder Netanyahu views that as a non-starter. The PA needs to clean itself up, but time is running out. Hence, the recent alleged assassination attempt against Mazen, which the PA denies.
Washington and the other Western capitals must tie future aid to systemic and visible reform. No more blank cheques from anyone. Maybe, just maybe, if the West Bank moves towards actual democracy, perhaps there will be hope for a warm peace between Israel and Palestine. But not before. The autocratic mentality that has flourished in so many other parts of the Middle East is thoroughly entrenched on the West Bank. That's painfully obvious, both in the region and around the world.
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