The Appointment of Mohammad Mustafa as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister
In Ramallah, West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, alongside Mohammad Mustafa, the former deputy prime minister and chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund, celebrated Mustafa’s new role as the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mohammad Mustafa, the newly appointed Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, share a moment in Ramallah, West Bank.
Palestinian Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images
In response to U.S. pressure for reform within the Palestinian Authority, President Mahmoud Abbas selected Mohammad Mustafa, his economic adviser, to lead as the new Palestinian Authority Prime Minister and oversee the formation of a fresh government.
Mohammad Mustafa’s appointment is viewed as a strategic move to address U.S. expectations for governance in postwar Gaza. Despite this decision, Palestinian sentiments remain skeptical, particularly due to ongoing dissatisfaction with the leadership of the 88-year-old President Abbas.
Joel Beinin, the Donald J. McLachlan professor of history and professor of Middle East history, emeritus, at Stanford University, expressed reservations about the impact of this appointment, stating that it is unlikely to bring substantial changes internally for Palestinians or in the Palestinian Authority’s relationship with Israel.
Understanding Mustafa’s Role in the Palestinian Authority
Mustafa, a nearly 70-year-old individual, has been a key economic affairs adviser to Abbas since 2005. Previously, he held positions as the national economy minister and the deputy prime minister for the Palestinian Authority. Additionally, he has chaired the Palestine Investment Fund since 2009.
Having obtained both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Mustafa also has a background working with the World Bank.
Due to his longstanding association with Abbas, Mustafa is widely perceived as a loyal supporter of the president.
“Mohammad Mustafa is an individual who has played a significant role within the Palestinian Authority, serving as an adviser to Mahmoud Abbas for an extended period. This appointment does not introduce fresh perspectives or younger leadership, given his age of 70. Consequently, it may not address concerns regarding the authority’s reputation among Palestinians,” Beinin remarked.
The White House’s National Security Council expressed approval of Mustafa’s appointment as prime minister, as stated by spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
“We advocate for the swift establishment of a reform-oriented cabinet,” Watson emphasized. “The United States anticipates this new government to enact policies and execute substantial reforms effectively. A restructured Palestinian Authority is crucial for meeting the needs of the Palestinian populace and fostering stability in the West Bank and Gaza.”
In a photo captured on November 30, 2023, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken are seen shaking hands before a meeting at the presidential compound in Ramallah. The image credit goes to Saul Loeb from AP. This significant moment between the two leaders was documented during their meeting in the West Bank city.
Challenges Faced by the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister
Established under the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister gained authority over parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. However, control over Gaza was later lost to Hamas in 2007, leaving the Prime Minister with only about 40% control over the occupied West Bank, while the rest remains under Israeli jurisdiction.
Despite its formation, the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister continues to struggle with widespread unpopularity among Palestinians. According to a recent study by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, nearly 60% of Palestinians express a desire for the dissolution of the Prime Minister’s authority, with 88% seeking Abbas’s resignation.
Expressing discontent with the Prime Minister’s leadership, Palestinians have voiced their frustrations, particularly in the West Bank. Criticisms include the government’s failure to address the basic needs of the population and provide adequate care for citizens in Palestinian territories. This lack of responsiveness has further eroded the Prime Minister’s credibility and respectability, especially following their perceived inaction in response to Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are seen shaking hands to commemorate the peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians. This historic moment took place in Washington, D.C., on September 13, 1993, with U.S. President Bill Clinton as a witness. The image credit goes to Ron Edmonds/AP.
The Future Outlook for the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who recently declared the submission of his cabinet’s resignation, continues to fulfill the role of caretaker for the government.
Upon naming Mustafa as the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, Abbas tasked him with developing strategies to consolidate the governance of the West Bank and Gaza, overhaul the administration, and tackle issues of corruption.
Although the White House has endorsed the appointment of Mustafa, Beinin pointed out that it is doubtful that this support alone will persuade Israel’s current government to back a Gaza controlled by the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister.
The Palestinian Authority Prime Minister expressed doubt, stating that under the current Israeli government, President Biden’s vision seems unrealistic.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed granting control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister after the conflict, advocating for local leaders to assume civilian governance instead.
