Crises could cause Palestinian Authority to collapse

Significance

The PA faces financial collapse and a leadership and security crisis. It provides education, health and other government services to the great majority of Palestinians and shares security responsibility with Israeli occupation forces. As a major employer, the PA is a mainstay of the West Bank and Gaza economies.

Impacts

• None of the likely successors to ageing President Mahmoud Abbas appears to have sufficient public support to restore the PA’s authority.
• The PA’s collapse would saddle Israel with the financial burden of providing government services and increase its defence costs.
• Without the PA, the prospects of reviving the now-dormant peace process would be much reduced.