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Palestinian National Authority
(السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية)

Flag of Palestine	Coat of Arms
Anthem: Biladi
West Bank	Gaza Strip
Capital	Ramallah
Official language(s)	Arabic
President	Mahmoud Abbas
Prime Minister	Ahmad Qurei (acting)
Area (projected) - Total (WB and GS) - % water	6,236 km² ~3.52%
Population  - projected mid-(2006)  - Density	3,888,292 [1] ~623.52/km² Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... To suggest a relevant news story for the main page, refer to the criteria then add your suggestion at the candidates page. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Palestine. ... Palestinian National Authority logo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Proportions 1:2 The Palestinian flag was originally designed by Sharif Hussein for the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1916. ... A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ... An anthem is a choral composition to an English religious text sung in church services. ... The Palestinian national anthem, Biladi (My Country), is the national anthem of the State of Palestine, adopted in 1996 in accordance with Article 31 of its declaration of independence in 1988. ... Download high resolution version (330x715, 22 KB)Replacement map of the West Bank from CIA Factbook - public domain This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... A map of the Gaza Strip showing key towns and neighbouring countries. ... In politics, a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... link titleRamallah (Arabic: â–¶ (help· info) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank of approximately 57,000 residents. ... An official language is a language that is given a unique legal status in a country, state, or other territory. ... Arabic (; , less formally, ) is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... The President of the Palestinian Authority is the highest-ranking political position (equivalent to head of state) in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ... Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... Prime Ministers of the Palestinian Authority List of Prime Ministers 2003-03-19 - 2003-09-06: Mahmoud Abbas 2003-10-07 - present, Ahmad Qurei Categories: Government stubs ... Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia), also known as Abu Alaa, was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is currently Prime Minister and holds the security portfolio of the Palestinian Authority. ... -1... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... 2006 (MMVI in Roman) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ...
Declaration of Independence	none
HDI (2003)	0.729 (102nd) – medium
GDP (base PPP)  - (2003 est.)	West Bank: $1,800,000,000 Gaza: $768,000,000
Currency	Jordanian Dinar (JOD) (WB only) New Israeli Sheqel (NIS), ISO 4217 (ILS)
Time Zone	UTC +2/+3
Internet TLD	.ps
Calling Code	970

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA; Arabic: السلطة الوطنية الفلسطينية As-Sulta Al-Wataniyya Al-Filastiniyya Hebrew: הרשות הפלסטינית Harashut Hafalastinit) is an interim administrative organization that nominally governs parts of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip (which are part of the Palestinian Territories). World map indicating HDI of UN member states, 2003. ... World map indicating HDI of UN member states, 2003. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Jordanian dinar (ISO 4217 code JOD) is the official currency of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the first official one in the State of Palestine. ... 1 sheqel coin (1994–5). ... ILS can refer to any of the following: New Israeli sheqel, the currency of Israel. ... Time zones are areas of the Earth that have adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... UTC also stands for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Coordinated Universal Time or UTC, also sometimes referred to as Zulu time, the basis for civil time, differs by an integral number of seconds from atomic time and a fractional number of seconds from UT1. ... Daylight saving time (also called DST) is the North American term for a system intended to save daylight (the British observe summer time, and likewise the Europeans). ... A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of an Internet domain name; that is, the letters which follow the final dot of any URL. For example, in the domain name wikipedia. ... .ps is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for the Palestinian territories. ... // At a glance In depth Zone 1 – North American Numbering Plan Area nanpa. ... Arabic (; , less formally, ) is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... Hebrew (עִבְרִית ‘Ivrit) is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family spoken by more than 7 million people, mainly in Israel, the West Bank, the United States and by Jewish communities around the world. ... The West Bank The Gaza Strip The Palestinian territories are geographic areas in the Middle East captured by Israel in the Six-day War of 1967 whose status is pending the conclusion of negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. ...

The Palestinian National Authority was established in 1994, pursuant to the Oslo accords between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the government of Israel, as a 5-year transitional body during which final status negotiations between the two parties were to take place. According to the Accords, the Palestinian Authority was designated to have control over both security-related and civilian issues in Palestinian urban areas (referred to as "Area A"), and only civilian control over Palestinian rural areas ("Area B"). The remainder of the territories (including Israeli settlements, the Jordan Valley region, and bypass roads between Palestinian communities) were to remain under exclusive Israeli control ("Area C"). The Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles (DOP), were finalized in Oslo, Norway on August 20, 1993, and subsequently officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington D.C. on September 13, 1993, with Mahmoud Abbas signing for the... The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic Munazzamat al-Tahrir Filastiniyyah منظمة تحرير فلسطينية ) is a political and paramilitary organization of Palestinian Arabs dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to consist of the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with an intent to destroy Israel. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ...

The Palestinian Authority enjoys international recognition as the organization representing the Palestinian people. Under the name "Palestine", it has an observer status in the United Nations (UN), as did the PLO since 1974. After the 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence, the PLO's representation at the UN was renamed Palestine; it participates in General Assembly debates, without voting, since 1998, and was recognized by Israel as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian People in the Oslo Accords. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that describes itself as a global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ... The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), in Algiers on 15 November 1988. ...

The PNA receives considerable financial assistance from the European Union as well as some from the United States (which both have threatened to cut now that Hamas won paralimentary elections in January 2006), and few other donor countries. The Gaza International Airport was built by the PA in the city of Rafah, but operated for only a brief period before being razed by Israel following the outbreak of Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000. A sea port was also being constructed in Gaza but was never completed (see below). To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Gaza International Airport is located in the Gaza Strip, close to the Egyptian border. ... Rafah (Arabic: رفح Hebrew: רפיח) is a town in the Gaza Strip, on the Egyptian border, and a nearby town on the Egyptian side of the border, on the Sinai Peninsula. ... It has been suggested that October 2000 riots (Israel) be merged into this article or section. ...

The PA maintains an official uniformed armed service which various sources estimate to include anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000 recruits ^[1] employing some armored cars, and a limited number carry automatic weapons [2]. Officially termed a "police force", it is accused by some of violating the Oslo Accords which limit the force to 30,000 recruits. The Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles (DOP), were finalized in Oslo, Norway on August 20, 1993, and subsequently officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington D.C. on September 13, 1993, with Mahmoud Abbas signing for the...

Many Palestinians are dependent on access to the Israeli job market. During the 1990s, Israel however began to replace Palestinians with foreign guest workers. They were found to be economical and also were useful as a means limiting dependence on Palestinians as a source of cheap labor due to what it called security concerns. This hurt the Palestinian economy, in particular in the Gaza strip, where 60% of the population is under the poverty line according to the CIA World Factbook. World Factbook 2004 cover The World Factbook is an annual publication by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with basic almanac-style information about the various countries of the world. ...

Officials

Past Prime Ministers: The President of the Palestinian Authority is the highest-ranking political position (equivalent to head of state) in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ... Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Prime Ministers of the Palestinian Authority List of Prime Ministers 2003-03-19 - 2003-09-06: Mahmoud Abbas 2003-10-07 - present, Ahmad Qurei Categories: Government stubs ... Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia), also known as Abu Alaa, was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is currently Prime Minister and holds the security portfolio of the Palestinian Authority. ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Mahmoud Abbas: March 19, 2003 - September 6, 2003
• Ahmad Qurei: October 7, 2003 - December 15, 2005
• Nabil Shaath: December 15, 2005 - December 24, 2005
• Ahmad Qurei: December 24, 2005 - to present (acting as caretaker)

Past Presidents: Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia), also known as Abu Alaa, was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is currently Prime Minister and holds the security portfolio of the Palestinian Authority. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nabil Shaath (also spelled Shaath), a senior Palestinian official, has held the following titles: Palestinian chief negotiator Palestinian cabinet minister Palestinian International Co-operation Minister Planning Minister for the Palestinian National Authority Categories: People stubs | Palestinian people ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia), also known as Abu Alaa, was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is currently Prime Minister and holds the security portfolio of the Palestinian Authority. ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The President of the Palestinian Authority is the highest-ranking political position (equivalent to head of state) in the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ...

• Yasser Arafat: July 5, 1994 - November 11, 2004
• Rauhi Fattouh (acting): November 11, 2004 - January 15, 2005

Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rawhi Fattuh (روحي فتوح, also transliterated as Rauhi Fattouh) (born 1953) was the interim President of the Palestinian Authority, following the death of Yasser Arafat on November 11, 2004 until January 15, 2005. ... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Political parties and elections

Election results include names of political parties. See for additional information about parties the List of political parties in the Palestinian National Authority. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in the Palestinian National Authority.

From the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1993 until the death of Yasser Arafat in late 2004, only one election had taken place. All other elections were deferred for various reasons. An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues with the aim to participate in power, usually by participating in elections. ... See Election (movie) for the film directed by Alexander Payne. ... Elections in the Palestinian National Authority gives information on election and election results in the PNA. Palestine elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969...

A single election for president and the legislature took place in 1996. The next presidential and the legislature election were scheduled for 2001, but were delayed following the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada. Arafat organized the 2005 municipal elections, in which Hamas gained an honorable score. Following Arafat's death, elections for the President of the Authority were announced for January 9, 2005. The PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas won by 62.3% of the vote, while Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a physician and independent candidate, won 19.8%. [3]. It has been suggested that October 2000 riots (Israel) be merged into this article or section. ... The 2005 Palestinian presidential election — the first to be held since 1996 — took place on January 9, 2005 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... Mustafa Barghouti (also often written Mustafa Barghouthi; born 1954) is a Palestinian democracy activist and a candidate for presidency of the Palestinian National Authority in 2005. ...

Main article: Palestinian presidential election, 2005 Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Fatah official emblem shows two fists holding rifles and a hand grenade superimposed on a map of the land they claim as Palestine (roughly, present-day Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip). ... Mustafa Barghouti (also often written Mustafa Barghouthi; born 1954) is a Palestinian democracy activist and a candidate for presidency of the Palestinian National Authority in 2005. ... The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Arabic: الجبهة الديموقراطية لتحرير فلسطين, transliterated Al-Jabhah al-Dimuqratiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin) is a Palestinian Marxist-Leninist political and military organization. ... The Palestinian Peoples Party (PPP, in Arabic حزب الشعب الفلسطيني Hizb al-Shab al-Filastini), is a socialist political party in the Palestinian territories and among the Palestinian diaspora. ... The 2005 Palestinian presidential election — the first to be held since 1996 — took place on January 9, 2005 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. ...

On May 10, 2004 the Palestinian Cabinet announced that municipal elections would take place for the first time. Elections were announced for August 2004 in Jericho, followed by certain municipalities in the Gaza Strip. In July 2004 these elections were postponed. Issues with voter registration are said to have contributed to the delay. Municipal elections finally took place for council officials in Jericho and 25 other towns and villages in the West Bank on December 23, 2004. On January 27, 2005, the first round of the municipal elections, organized by Yasser Arafat before his death, took place in the Gaza Strip for officials in 10 local councils. Further rounds in the West Bank took place in May 2005. May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jericho (Arabic أريحا [▶]; ʼArīḥā; Hebrew יְרִיחוֹ [▶]; Standard Hebrew Yəriḥo; Tiberian Hebrew Yərîḫô, Yərîḥô) is a town in the West Bank, near the Jordan River. ... Jericho (Arabic أريحا [▶]; ʼArīḥā; Hebrew יְרִיחוֹ [▶]; Standard Hebrew Yəriḥo; Tiberian Hebrew Yərîḫô, Yərîḥô) is a town in the West Bank, near the Jordan River. ... December 23 is the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (358th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The January-May 2005 Palestinian local (municipal) election were organized by President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat before his death on November 11, 2004. ...

== [[Image: == [[[fgdgdfg]]] ==]] ==]]]]]]Bold text

Elections for a new Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were scheduled for July 2005 by Acting Palestinian Authority President Rawhi Fattuh in January 2005. These elections were postponed by Mahmoud Abbas after major changes to the Election Law were enacted by the PLC which required more time for the Palestinian Central Elections Committee to process and prepare. Among these changes were the expansion of the number of parliament seats from 88 to 132, with half of the seats to be competed for in 16 localities, and the other half to be elected in proportional to party votes from a nationwide pool of candidates. The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Fatah official emblem shows two fists holding rifles and a hand grenade superimposed on a map of the land they claim as Palestine (roughly, present-day Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip). ... The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... Rawhi Fattuh (روحي فتوح, also transliterated as Rauhi Fattouh) (born 1949) is the current Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and was the interim President of the Palestinian Authority, following the death of Yasser Arafat on November 11, 2004 until January 15, 2005. ... Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... The British Houses of Parliament, London, UK A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system derived from that of the United Kingdom. ...

Main article: Palestinian legislative election, 2006

The following organizations, listed in alphabetic order, have taken part in recent elections inside the Palestinian National Authority: Wikinews has news related to this article: Hamas wins Palestinian election On January 25, 2006, elections were held for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the legislature of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ... January 25 is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI in Roman) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) (Arabic الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين - al-jabhah al-sha`biyyah li-tahrīr filastīn) is a Marxist-Leninist, nationalist Palestinian political and military organization, founded in 1967. ... The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Arabic: الجبهة الديموقراطية لتحرير فلسطين, transliterated Al-Jabhah al-Dimuqratiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin) is a Palestinian Marxist-Leninist political and military organization. ... The Palestinian Peoples Party (PPP, in Arabic حزب الشعب الفلسطيني Hizb al-Shab al-Filastini), is a socialist political party in the Palestinian territories and among the Palestinian diaspora. ... FIDA symbol The Palestine Democratic Union (Al-Ittihad al-Dimuqrati al-Filastini, generally known as FIDA) is a small Palestinian political party active in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ... Mustafa Barghouti (also often written Mustafa Barghouthi; born 1954) is a Palestinian democracy activist and a candidate for presidency of the Palestinian National Authority in 2005. ... ... Salam Fayyad Salam Fayyad (b. ... Hanan Ashrawi Hanan Ashrawi (born 8 October 1946) is a Palestinian Anglican scholar who is well-known as one of the most articulate Palestinian spokespersons. ... 2006 (MMVI in Roman) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Al-Jabhah al-Dimuqratiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin)
• Fatah or Liberation Movement of Palestine (Harakat al-Tahrâr al-Filistini)
• Hamas or Islamic Resistance Movement (Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyah)
• Palestine Democratic Union (al-Ittihad al-Dimuqrati al-Filastini, FiDA)
• Palestinian National Initiative (al-Mubadara al-Wataniya al-Filistiniyya)
• Palestinian People's Party (Hizb al-Sha'b al-Filastini)
• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Al-Jabhah al-sha'abiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin)

The Liberation Party (Hizb ut-Tahrir) participated in the West Bank, before it was occupied, it currently refuses to do so. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Arabic: الجبهة الديموقراطية لتحرير فلسطين, transliterated Al-Jabhah al-Dimuqratiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin) is a Palestinian Marxist-Leninist political and military organization. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Fatah official emblem shows two fists holding rifles and a hand grenade superimposed on a map of the land they claim as Palestine (roughly, present-day Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Hamas, acronym of Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Arabic: Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas is also Arabic for zeal or courage) is a Palestinian Islamist paramilitary and political organization, regarded by some as a militant organization and by others as a terrorist group. ... FIDA symbol The Palestine Democratic Union (Al-Ittihad al-Dimuqrati al-Filastini, generally known as FIDA) is a small Palestinian political party active in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ... ... The Palestinian Peoples Party (PPP, in Arabic حزب الشعب الفلسطيني Hizb al-Shab al-Filastini), is a socialist political party in the Palestinian territories and among the Palestinian diaspora. ... The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) (Arabic الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين - al-jabhah al-sha`biyyah li-tahrīr filastīn) is a Marxist-Leninist, nationalist Palestinian political and military organization, founded in 1967. ... Hizb ut-Tahrir (Arabic: حزب التحرير meaning Party of Liberation) is an Islamist political party whose goal is to establish a pan-Islamic Caliphate. ... Belligerent military occupation, occurs when one nations military garrisons occupy all or part of a foreign nation during an invasion (during or after a war). ...

Politics and Internal structure

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has historically been associated with the PLO, with whom Israel negotiated the Oslo Accords. The Chairman of the PLO, Yasser Arafat, was elected as President of PA in a landslide victory in 1996. Subsequent elections were postponed, ostensibly due to the eruption of the Al-Aqsa Intifada and the Israeli military clampdown that accompanied it. However, internal Palestinian strife was also a reason for the disorganization in government, and it was not until Arafat's death in 2004 that new elections occurred on both presidential and local levels. Although almost 80% of the employees of the PA were local Palestinians, higher posts were occupied mostly by PLO officials who returned from exile once the PA was established in 1994. To many local Palestinians, these "returnees" were a source of bureaucracy and corruption. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic Munazzamat al-Tahrir Filastiniyyah منظمة تحرير فلسطينية ) is a political and paramilitary organization of Palestinian Arabs dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to consist of the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with an intent to destroy Israel. ... The Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles (DOP), were finalized in Oslo, Norway on August 20, 1993, and subsequently officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington D.C. on September 13, 1993, with Mahmoud Abbas signing for the... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... It has been suggested that October 2000 riots (Israel) be merged into this article or section. ...

Arafat's administration was criticized for its lack of democracy, wide-spread corruption among officials, and the division of power among families and numerous governmental agencies with overlapping functions. He established over ten distinct security organizations through various mechanisms in an alleged divide et impera scheme, which is claimed to have guaranteed an atmosphere of power-struggle in the Authority which enabled him to preserve overall control. Both Israel and the US declared they lost trust in Arafat as a partner and refused to negotiate with him, regarding him as linked to terrorism. Arafat denied this, and was visited by other leaders around the world up until his death. However, this began a push for change in the Palestinian leadership. In 2003, Arafat succumbed to domestic and international pressure and appointed Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as prime minister of the PA. Abbas resigned four months later because of lack of support from Israel, the US, and Arafat himself. He was later chosen as his Fatah party's candidate for president of the PA in 2004 after the death of Arafat. He won the presidency on January 9, 2005 with 62% of the vote. In politics and sociology, divide and rule is a strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy. ... Dr. Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: محمود عباس) (born March 26, 1935), commonly known as Abu Mazen (ابو مازن), was elected President (Raees) of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on January 9, 2005 and took office on January 15, 2005. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

According to the Palestinian "Basic Law" which was signed by Arafat in 2002 after a long delay, the current structure of the PA is based on three separate branches of power [4]: executive, legislative, and judiciary. The Judiciary Branch has yet to be properly formalized. The president of the PA is directly elected by the people, and the holder of this position is also considered to be the commander-in chief of the armed forces. In an amendment to the Basic Law approved in 2003 (and which may or may not become part of the Palestinian constitution once independence is established), the president appoints a "prime minister" who is also chief of the national security services. The prime minister chooses a cabinet of ministers and runs the government, reporting directly to the president. The current prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, formed his government on February 24, 2005 to wide international praise because, for the first time, most ministries were headed by experts in their field as opposed to political appointees [5]. Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia), also known as Abu Alaa, was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is currently Prime Minister and holds the security portfolio of the Palestinian Authority. ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) is an elected body of 88 representatives and acts as a parliament. The PLC must approve all government cabinet positions proposed by the prime minister, and must also confirm the prime minister himself upon nomination by the president. As opposed to other Arab countries, the PLC has historically demonstrated considerable power, and has frequently caused changes in government appointments through threats of no-confidence votes. Many critical votes are won in the government's favor without an outright majority. Since the death of Arafat, the PLC has reinvigorated its activity, and commonly summons senior executive officials to testify before it. Parliamentary elections were conducted in January 2006 after the recent passage of an overhauled election law that increased the number of seats from 88 to 132. The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ...

Current events

Since the beginning of the Second Intifada, a growing number of Palestinians have stopped accepting the Palestinian Authority as a representative of the Palestinian people. Some claim that has become a tool of the Israeli government, and that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad represents the Palestinian interest more loyally. However, polls indicate that the Israeli attack on the West Bank since the spring of 2002 has strengthened the standing of the PLO among the Palestinian people. The al-Aqsa Intifada is the wave of violence and political conflict that began in September 2000 between Palestinian Arabs and Israelis; it is also called the Second Intifada (see also First Intifada). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The emblem of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad shows a map of the land they claim as Palestine (roughly, present-day Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) superimposed on the images of the Dome of the Rock, two fists and two rifles. ...

Israel, on the other hand, has accused the Palestinian Authority of ignoring and covertly sponsoring the violence against Israelis. Israeli experts claim that Arafat specifically intended to lose authority in favor of the Islamic movements, so that he could still use terrorism without actually controlling it. The prolonged support and participation of his own private militia, the Fatah, in terrorist attacks, reinforces that claim. This view has been officially accepted by the United States in summer 2002, which decided then to halt most sorts of negotiations with the current Palestinian authority, pending a fundamental organizational change. The non-governmental American Council on Foreign Relations has declared the Palestinian Authority under Arafat a haven for terrorism. The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a think tank which describes itself as dedicated to increasing Americas understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. ... Haven can mean: A harbor A sanctuary Companies Pizza Haven, an Australian pizza chain Haven (Holidays), a company which runs a number of holiday parks in the United Kingdom and Europe Entertainment Haven (TNG episode), an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation Haven (film), a 2004 motion picture directed... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ...

During the Intifada, Israel has often targeted Palestinian Authority personnel and resources. In particular, many of the people arrested, assassinated or killed (extra-judicially) in action because of their alleged terrorist activities were employees of the Palestinian Authority's security forces or militias. In Operation Defensive Shield Israel has captured documents that allegedly prove that the Palestinian Authority officially sponsors terrorist activities, which are carried out by its personnel as "shadow jobs". For instance, Israel arrested and convicted Marwan Barghouti, a prominent leader of Fatah, for his role as leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. Barghouti maintains his innocence, and rejects the impartiality of the Israeli courts. Operation Defensive Shield (In Hebrew, מבצע חומת מגן) was a large-scale military operation conducted by the Israeli Defence Forces in April 2002. ... Marwan Barghouti in Israeli custody Marwan Barghouti (born June 6, 1959) is a Palestinian leader from the West Bank and a leader of the Fatah movement that forms the backbone of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). ... The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الأقصى) are a Palestinian armed terrorist group closely linked to the Fatah party. ...

Israel has also targeted Palestinian Authority infrastructure; in particular it has closed and destroyed parts of the Palestinian sea and air ports, that were used, it claimed, to transport terrorists and their equipment. Israel's incursions during the Intifada also led to damage to some of the Palestinian computer infrastructure, though it is not clear to what extent it was deliberate.

These moves were criticized by the Palestinians, who claim that the Palestinian Authority is nearing collapse, and is no longer able to carry out its internal and external obligations. This is because these repeated degradations of PA resources and infrastructure have led to complaints by the PA and some of its EU funders that Israel is deliberately hobbling the PA to restrict its powers of law enforcement in order to present an image of terrorism and lawlessness in the Palestinian Territories. Israel claimed that the current Palestinian Authority under Arafat is fradulent and impossible to trust, and hence no longer relevant to achieving a future peace agreement.

On July 7, 2004, the Quartet of Middle East mediators informed Ahmed Queria, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, that they are "sick and tired" of the Palestinians failure to carry out promised reforms: "If security reforms are not done, there will be no (more) international support and no funding from the international community" [6] July 7 is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 177 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For Segas arcade game, see Quartet. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ...

On July 18, 2004, United States President George W. Bush stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state by the end of 2005 was unlikely due to instability and violence in the Palestinian Authority. (Le Figaro) July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ...

In order for there to be a Palestinian state, it is essential for its leaders to be open to reform and be dedicated to their people.

The problem of the Palestinians is a territorial one – they have no state and they have no leaders. Palestinians that want change need to demand that a security force be established. The real problem is that there is no leadership that is able to say 'help us establish a state and we will fight terror and answer the needs of the Palestinians'.

Following Arafat's death on November 11, 2004, Rawhi Fattuh, leader of the Palestinian Legislative Council became Acting President of the Palestinian Authority as provided for in Article 119 of Constitution of the State of Palestine. November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rawhi Fattuh (روحي فتوح, also transliterated as Rauhi Fattouh) (born 1949) is the current Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and was the interim President of the Palestinian Authority, following the death of Yasser Arafat on November 11, 2004 until January 15, 2005. ... The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... An Acting President is a person who takes the place of the president of an organization for a brief period, due to forced absence, illness or death, and is replaced by the original president or by a new one, as the case requires. ...

In accordance with the election’s law, the ballot for the election of the new President shall be held not more than sixty days after the beginning of the vacancy.

In the Palestinian presidential election, 2005 which took place on January 9, 2005 voters elected Mahmoud Abbas as President of the Palestinian Authority. The 2005 Palestinian presidential election — the first to be held since 1996 — took place on January 9, 2005 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 16 March 2005, Israel officially handed over Jericho to Palestinian control as the first of five towns of the West Bank, with Tulkarm, Ramallah, Qalqilya and Bethlehem to follow. March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jericho (Arabic أريحا [â–¶]; ʼArīḥā; Hebrew יְרִיחוֹ [â–¶]; Standard Hebrew YÉ™riḥo; Tiberian Hebrew YÉ™rîḫô, YÉ™rîḥô) is a town in the West Bank, near the Jordan River. ... Nickname: City of Generosity Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: City of Tulkarm Location Location in Palestine Government Neighbourhoods Al-Salam, Al-Sowana, Dhinnaba, Iktaba, Irtah, Iskan Al-Mozafeen, Izbat Al-Jarad, Izbat Naser, Nur Shams Camp, Shuwaykah, Tulkarm Camp Mayor Mahmoud Al-Jallad Geographical characteristics Area 246 km² Land 246 km... link titleRamallah (Arabic: â–¶ (help· info) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank of approximately 57,000 residents. ... Qalqīlyah (Arabic قلقيلية; Standard Hebrew קלקיליה Qalqilya) is an Arab city in the West Bank. ... The Church of the Nativity, a Bethlehem Landmark Bethlehem (Arabic بيت لحم (help· info) house of meat; Standard Hebrew בית לחם house of bread, Bet léḥem / Bet láḥem; Tiberian Hebrew Bêṯ léḥem / Bêṯ lāḥem) (Greek: Βηθλεέμ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank and a hub of Palestinian cultural and...

On 19 April 2005, Vladimir Putin the president of Russia agreed to aid the Palestinian Authority stating, "We support the efforts of President Abbas to reform the security services and fight against terrorism ... If we are waiting for President Abbas to fight terrorism, he cannot do it with the resources he has now. ... We will give the Palestinian Authority technical help by sending equipment, training people. We will give the Palestinian Authority helicopters and also communication equipment." [7] April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (Russian: Влади́мир Влади́мирович Пу́тин, (help· info), Pútin; born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician, and the current President of the Russian Federation. ...

Finances

Further information: Palestinian economy, and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]], and [[]]

Economic overview: Real per capita GDP for the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) declined by about one-third between 1992 and 1996 due to the combined effect of falling aggregate incomes and rapid population growth. ...

Foreign aid & budget deficit

Due to the specific conditions of the Palestinian occupied territories, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been supported by the international community. According to the World Bank, USD $929 million were given by the international community to the PNA in 2001, $891 millions in 2003 and $1100 in 2005 (representing 53% of the budget in 2005). The main objectives are support to the budget, development aid and public health. In 2003, the US funded $224 millions, the EU $187 millions, the Arab League $124 millions, Norway $53 millions, the World Bank $50 millions, the United Kingdom $43 millions, Italy $40 millions, and the last $170 millions by others. According to the World Bank, the budget deficit was about of $800 millions in 2005, with nearly half of it financed by donors. "The PA's fiscal situation has become increasingly unsustainable mainly as a result of uncontained government consumption, in particular a rapidly increasing public sector wage bill, expanding social transfer schemes and rising net lending," said the World Bank report. The West Bank The Gaza Strip The Palestinian territories are geographic areas in the Middle East captured by Israel in the Six-day War of 1967 whose status is pending the conclusion of negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. ... Logo of the World Bank The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, in Romance languages: BIRD), better known as the World Bank, is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by WWII. Now, its mission has expanded to fight poverty by means... Budget generally refers to a list of all planned expenses and revenues. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with foreign aid. ... Public health is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis. ... Flag of the League of Arab States The Arab League or League of Arab States (Arabic: جامعة الدول العربية), is an organization of Arab states (compare Arab world). ... A budget deficit occurs when an entity (often a government) spends more money than it takes in. ...

Threats of cutting funds following January 2006 legislative elections

Following the January 2006 legislative elections, won by Hamas, the Quartet threatened to cut funds to the Palestinian Authority. On February 2, 2006, according to the AFP, the PNA accused Israel of "practicing collective punishment after it snubbed US calls to unblock funds owed to the Palestinians." Prime minister Ahmed Qorei "said he was hopeful of finding alternative funding to meet the budget shortfall of around 50 million dollars, needed to pay the wages of public sector workers, and which should have been handed over by Israel on the first of the month." The US Department criticized Israel for refusing to quickly unblock the funds. The funds were later unblocked. ^[2] However, the New York Times alleged on February 14, 2006 that a "destabilization plan" of the Hamas, winner of the January 2006 legislative elections, centered "largely on money" and cutting all funds to the PA once Hamas takes power, in order to delegitimize it in the eyes of the Palestinians. According to the news article, "The Palestinian Authority has a monthly cash deficit of some $60 million to $70 million after it receives between $50 million and $55 million a month from Israel in taxes and customs duties collected by Israeli officials at the borders but owed to the Palestinians." Beginning March 2006, "the Palestinian Authority will face a cash deficit of at least $110 million a month, or more than $1 billion a year, which it needs to pay full salaries to its 140,000 employees, who are the breadwinners for at least one-third of the Palestinian population. The employment figure includes some 58,000 members of the security forces, most of which are affiliated with the defeated Fatah movement." Since January 25 elections, "the Palestinian stock market has already fallen about 20 percent", while the "Authority has exhausted its borrowing capacity with local banks." ^[3] Henceforth, a third of the Palestinian population would suffer from the Quartet's decision to cut funds to the PA, which would provoque either a rising popularity of Hamas, blaming it on the international community lack of support, or, to the contrary, would delegitimize Hamas, as hoped by the US and Israel. Wikinews has news related to this article: Hamas wins Palestinian election On January 25, 2006, elections were held for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the legislature of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Quartet on the Middle East, sometimes called the Diplomatic Quartet or simply the Quartet, is a foursome of nations and international entities involved in mediating the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian People. ... Agence France-Presse (abbreviated AFP) is the oldest news agency in the world. ... Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia), also known as Abu Alaa, was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is currently Prime Minister and holds the security portfolio of the Palestinian Authority. ... February 14 is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI in Roman) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... The Quartet on the Middle East, sometimes called the Diplomatic Quartet or simply the Quartet, is a foursome of nations and international entities involved in mediating the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian People. ...

Use of European Union assistance

In 2002, the French University of Paris VI and the University of Lille voted the suspension of the scientific agreement between the EU and Israel, in particular concerning the cooperation program PCRD, on the charges that article 2 of the agreement, "founded on the respect of human rights and democratic principles", was not respected by Israel. This in particular followed the deliberate destruction by Tsahal of computers and other Palestinian teaching infrastructures, financed by the EU. However, the Universities, accused of antisemitism, later cancelled their votes ^[4] Lille, a city in France, has two universities: The Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille (USTL) or Université de Lille I The Université du Droit et de la Santé de Lille or Université de Lille II Categories: Disambiguation ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the Hebrew name of Israels armed forces (Tsahal comprises the Israel army, Israel air force and Israel navy). ...

In February 2004, it was reported that the European Union (EU) anti-fraud office (OLAF) was studying documents suggesting that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority had diverted tens of millions of dollars in EU funds to organizations involved in terrorist attacks, such as the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. However, in August 2004, aprovisional assessment stated that "To date, there is no evidence that funds from the non-targeted EU Direct Budget Assistance to the Palestinian Authority have been used to finance illegal activities, including terrorism." The given name Olav (Olaf, Olof, Olaus), the name of Saint Olav, patron of Norway, has also been borne by a number of other Norwegian kings. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... The Al_Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الاقصى) are one of the militias of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafats al_Fatah faction. ...

A separate EU "Working Group" also issued a report in April 2004, adopted by a 7-6 vote, which covers the period from the end of 2000 to the end of 2002, stating that EU aid has not been siphoned off to Palestinian militants carrying out attacks on Israelis: "There is no conclusive evidence, to date, that the EU non-targeted direct budgetary support was used to finance illegal activities, including the financing of terrorism".

Furthermore, the EU has changed the way it funded the Palestinians and now targeted aid for specific purposes. From April 2003, money is only handed over if various conditions are met, such as the presentation of invoices for bills the Palestinians need to pay. The EU remains the biggest donor to the Palestinian Authority.

Payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons

On July 22, 2004, Salam Fayyad Minister of Finance of the Palestinian Authority in an article in the Palestinian weekly, The Jerusalem Times, detailed the following payments to Palestinians imprisoned by the Israeli authorities: 22 July is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1. Prisoner allowances increased between June 2002 and June 2004 to $9.6m monthly, an increase of 246 percent compared with January 1995-June 2002.

2. Between June 2002 and June 2004, 77 million shekels were delivered to prisoners, compared to 121 million between January 1995 and June 2002, which is an increase of 16 million shekels yearly. The increase of annual spending between the two periods registers 450 percent, which is much higher than the percentage of increase of the number of prisoners.

3. Between 2002 and 2004, the PNA paid 22 million shekels to cover other expenses — lawyers’ fees, fines, and allocations for released prisoners. This includes lawyers’ fees paid directly by the PNA and fees paid through the Prisoners Club.

Allegations of lawlessness in Palestinian areas

Violence against civilians

The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group reports everyday disagreements and clashes between the various political factions, families and cities that a complete picture of Palestinian society is painted. These divisions have during the course of the al Aqsa Intifada also led to an increasingly violent ‘Intrafada’. In the 10 year period from 1993 to 2003, 16% of Palestinian civilian deaths were caused by Palestinian groups or individuals[8]. The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group is a diverse human rights gourp founded in December 1996 by a group of prominent Palestinians, including members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (the legislative arm of the Palestinian Authority). ...

Erika Waak reports in The Humanist Of the total number of Palestinian civilians killed during this period by both Israeli and Palestinian security forces, 16 percent were the victims of Palestinian security forces.[9]

Accusations of collaboration with Israel are used to target and kill individual Palestinians: Those who are convicted have either been caught helping Israelis, spoken out against Arafat, or are involved in rival criminal gangs, and these individuals are hanged after summary trials. Arafat creates an environment where the violence continues while silencing would-be critics, and although he could make the violence impossible, he doesn't stop it.[10]

Freedom House's annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, Freedom in the World 2001-2002, reports Civil liberties declined due to: shooting deaths of Palestinian civilians by Palestinian security personnel; the summary trial and executions of alleged collaborators by the Palestinian Authority (PA); extra-judicial killings of suspected collaborators by militias; and the apparent official encouragement of Palestinian youth to confront Israeli soldiers, thus placing them directly in harm's way.[11] This map reflects the findings of Freedom Houses 2006 survey Freedom in the World, concerning the state of world freedom in 2005. ...

Palestinian security forces have, as of March 2005, not made any arrests for the October 2003 killing of three Americans members of a diplomatic convoy in the Gaza Strip. Moussa Arafat, head of the Palestinian Military Intelligence and a cousin of then Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has stated that, regarding the United States pressure to arrest the killers; "They know that we are in a very critical position and that clashing with any Palestinian party under the presence of the occupation is an issue that will present many problems for us". Since the October 2003 attack, United States diplomats have been banned from entering the Gaza Strip. [12] Moussa Arafat Major General Moussa Arafat al-Qidwi (born Jaffa 1941 -- died Gaza City September 7, 2005) was a cousin of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969...

It is claimed that some of the smuggling tunnels connecting Egypt and the Gaza Strip are controlled by one of the Palestinian Authority security services under Moussa Arafat's command. He is accused of receiving a portion of the profits derived from the smuggling tunnels. [13] Smuggling tunnels are secret tunnels, usually hidden underground, used for smuggling of goods, illegal weapons and people. ...

Violence against officials

On October 15, 2003, three members of a United States diplomatic convoy were killed and additional members of the convoy wounded three kilometers south of the Erez Crossing into the Gaza Strip by a terrorist bomb. The perpetrators remain at large. October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term Palestinian terrorism is commonly used to describe acts of political violence committed by Palestinian individuals or groups against Israelis, Jews, and nationals of other countries. ...

In February 2004 Ghassan Shaqawa (the mayor of Nablus) filed his resignation from office in protest of the Palestinian Authority's lack of action against the armed militias rampaging the city and the multiple attempts by Palestinian terrorists to assassinate him. Gaza's police chief, General Saib al-Ajez, later would say: "This internal conflict between police and the militants cannot happen. It is forbidden. We are a single nation and many people know each other and it is not easy to kill someone who is bearing a weapon to defend his nation." [14] Nāblus (sometimes Nābulus; Arabic: (help· info); IPA , Hebrew: (help· info); IPA ); 32°13′N 35°16′E) is a major city under Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and, with a population of over 100,000, is one of the largest Palestinian population centers in the Middle East. ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ... The term Palestinian terrorism is commonly used to describe acts of political violence committed by Palestinian individuals or groups against Israelis, Jews, and nationals of other countries. ...

Through the first three months of 2004, a number of attacks on journalists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been blamed on the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, most clearly the attack on the Arab television station Al-Arabiya's West Bank offices by masked men self-identifying as members of the Brigades. Palestinian journalists in Gaza called a general strike on February 9 to protest this rising violence against journalists. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الأقصى) are a Palestinian armed terrorist group closely linked to the Fatah party. ... Al-Arabiya is an Arabic-language satellite news channel based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which began broadcasting in February 2003, launched with an investment of $300 million from the Saudi-owned MBC, the Lebanese Hariri Group, and others. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Karen Abu Zayd, deputy commissioner general for the UN Relief and Works Agency in the Gaza Strip stated on February 29, 2004: "What has begun to be more visible is the beginning of the breakdown of law and order, all the groups have their own militias, and they are very organized. It's factions trying to exercise their powers." [15] The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees. ... February 29 is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 306 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Ghazi al-Jabali, the Gaza Strip Chief of Police, since 1994 has been the target of repeated attacks by Palestinians. In March 2004, his offices were targeted by gunfire. In April 2004, a bomb was detonated destroying the front of his house. In July 17, 2004, he was kidnapped at the at gunpoint following an ambush of his convoy and wounding of two bodyguards. He was released several hours later. [16] Less than six hours later, Colonel Khaled Abu Aloula, director of military coordination in the southern part of Gaza was abducted. Ghazi al-Jabali, the Gaza Strip Chief of Police, appointed by the Palestinian Authority. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An ambush is a long established military tactic in which an ambushing force uses concealment to attack an enemy that passes its position. ... A wound is type of physical trauma wherein the skin is torn, cut or punctured (an open wound), or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a closed wound). ...

On July 17 eve, Fatah movement members kidnapped 5 French citizens (3 men and 2 women) and held hostage in Red Crescent Society building in Khan Yunis: July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the worlds largest group of humanitarian non-governmental organizations, often known simply as the Red Cross, after its original symbol. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Palestinian security officials said that the kidnapping was carried out by the Abu al-Rish Brigades, accused of being linked to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction. [17]

On July 18, Arafat replaced Ghazi al-Jabali, with his nephew Moussa Arafat, sparking violent riots in Rafah and Khan Yunis in which members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades burned PA offices and opened fire on Palestinian policemen. During the riots at least one Palestinian was killed and dozen more seriously wounded. The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... Ghazi al-Jabali, the Gaza Strip Chief of Police, appointed by the Palestinian Authority. ... Moussa Arafat Major General Moussa Arafat al-Qidwi (born Jaffa 1941 -- died Gaza City September 7, 2005) was a cousin of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. ... Rafah (Arabic: رفح Hebrew: רפיח) is a town in the Gaza Strip, on the Egyptian border, and a nearby town on the Egyptian side of the border, on the Sinai Peninsula. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الأقصى) are a Palestinian armed terrorist group closely linked to the Fatah party. ...

On July 20, 2004 David Satterfield, the second-in-charge at the United States Department of State Near East desk stated in hearing before the Senate that the Palestinian Authority has failed to arrest the Palestinian terrorists who murdered three members of an American diplomatic convoy traveling in the Gaza Strip on October 15, 2003. Satterfield states: July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term Palestinian terrorism is commonly used to describe acts of political violence committed by Palestinian individuals or groups against Israelis, Jews, and nationals of other countries. ... This page is about negotiations; for the board game, see Diplomacy (game). ... A convoy is a group of vehicles or ships traveling together for mutual support. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

There has been no satisfactory resolution of this case. We can only conclude that there has been a political decision taken by the chairman (Yasser Arafat) to block further progress in this investigation.

On July 21, Nabil Amar, former Minister of Information and a cabinet member and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, was shot by masked gunmen, after an interview to a TV channel in which he criticized Yasser Arafat and called for reforms in the PA. [18] Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969...

Regarding the descent into chaos Cabinet minister Qadoura Fares stated on July 21, 2004: July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Every one of us is responsible. Arafat is the most responsible for the failure. President Arafat failed and the Palestinian government failed, the Palestinian political factions failed. [19]

On July 22, 2004, The United Nations elevated its threat warning level for the Gaza Strip to "Phase Four" (one less than the maximum "Phase Five") and plans to evacuate non-essential foreign staff from the Gaza Strip. [20] Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... 22 July is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that describes itself as a global association of governments facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ...

The firing of Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel is strongly opposed by those living closest to the firing location due to frequent Israeli military responses to Qassam rocket launches. On July 23, 2004, an Arab boy was shot and killed by Palestinian terrorists of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades after he and his family physically opposed their attempt to set up a Qassam rocket launcher outside the family's house. Five other individuals were wounded in the incident.[21] [22] [23][24] Image:Qassam. ... July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term Palestinian terrorism is commonly used to describe acts of political violence committed by Palestinian individuals or groups against Israelis, Jews, and nationals of other countries. ... The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الأقصى) are a Palestinian armed terrorist group closely linked to the Fatah party. ...

On July 25, 2004, 20 members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades seized the governor's office in the Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Among their demands are that Yasser Arafat's cousin, Moussa Arafat be dismissed from his post as chief of general security in Gaza. In a separate attack, unidentified persons stormed a police station and burned the structure causing extensive damage. July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الأقصى) are a Palestinian armed terrorist group closely linked to the Fatah party. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969...

On July 31, Palestinian kidnappers in Nablus seized 3 foreign nationals, an American, British and Irish citizen. They were later released. Also, a PA security forces HQ building was burnt down in Jenin by the al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. A leader of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades said they torched the building because new mayor Qadorrah Moussa, appointed by Arafat, had refused to pay salaries to Al Aqsa members or to cooperate with the group. [25] July 31 is the 212th day (213th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 153 days remaining. ... Nāblus (sometimes Nābulus; Arabic: (help· info); IPA , Hebrew: (help· info); IPA ); 32°13′N 35°16′E) is a major city under Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and, with a population of over 100,000, is one of the largest Palestinian population centers in the Middle East. ... Jenin (Arabic: (help· info), Hebrew: גנין), is a Palestinian city on the West Bank, and is a major agricultural center. ... The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الاقصى) are one of the militias of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafats al-Fatah faction. ...

On August 8, 2004 the Justice Minister Nahed Arreyes resigned stating that he has been stripped of much of his authority over the legal system. The year before, Yasser Arafat created a rival agency to the Justice Ministry and was accused of continuing to control the judiciary and in particular the state prosecutors. (AP) August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969...

On August 10, 2004, a report by an investigation committee Palestinian Legislative Council for the reasons for the anarchy and chaos in the PA was published by Haaretz daily newspaper. The report puts the main blame on Yasser Arafat and the PA's security forces, which "have failed to make a clear political decision to end it". The report states, August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... Haaretz (Hebrew: (help· info), The Land) is an Israeli newspaper, founded in 1919. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969...

"The main reason for the failure of the Palestinian security forces and their lack of action in restoring law and order" ...

"is the total lack of a clear political decision and no definition of their roles, either for the long term or the short."

The report also calls to stop shooting Qassam rockets and mortar shells on Israeli settlements because of it hurts "Palestinian interests". Hakham Balawi sais: Image:Qassam. ...

"... It is prohibited to launch rockets and to fire weapons from houses, and that is a supreme Palestinian interest that should not be violated because the result is barbaric retaliation by the occupying army and the citizenry cannot accept such shooting. Those who do it are a certain group that does not represent the people and nation, doing it without thinking about the general interest and public opinion in the world and in Israel. There is no vision or purpose to the missiles; the Palestinian interest is more important" [26]

Despite the criticism against Yasser Arafat, the troubles continued. On August 24, the Lieutenant Commander of the Palestinian General Intelligence in the Gaza Strip, Tareq Abu-Rajab, was shot by group of armed men. He was seriously injured. [27] Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ...

On August 31, the Jenin Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, threaten to kill Minister Nabil Shaath for participating in a conference in Italy attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, declaring "He will be sentenced to death if he enters. The decision cannot be rescinded, we call upon his bodyguards to abandon his convoy in order to save their lives." [28] August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining. ... The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) are a Palestinian militant network which operates in the Gaza Strip. ... Nabil Shaath (also spelled Shaath), a senior Palestinian official, has held the following titles: Palestinian chief negotiator Palestinian cabinet minister Palestinian International Co-operation Minister Planning Minister for the Palestinian National Authority Categories: People stubs | Palestinian people ...

On September 8, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, threatens to resign, again. Three weeks have elapsed since he retracted is resignation, originally tendered six weeks ago. [29] September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ...

On October 12, Moussa Arafat, cousin of Yasser Arafat and a top security official in the Gaza Strip, survived a car bomb assassination attempt. Recently the Popular Resistance Committees threatened Moussa Arafat with retaliation for an alleged attempt to assassinate its leader, Mohammed Nashabat. [30] October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Moussa Arafat Major General Moussa Arafat al-Qidwi (born Jaffa 1941 -- died Gaza City September 7, 2005) was a cousin of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. ... Arafat redirects here; for the hill east of Mecca, see Mount Arafat Yasser Arafat (Arabic: ياسر عرفات‎) (August 4 or August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004), born Mohammed Abdel-Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (محمد عبد الرؤوف القدوة الحسيني) and also known by the kunya Abu `Ammar (أبو عمّار), was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1969... A car bomb is an improvised explosive device that is placed in a car or truck and is intended to be exploded while there. ... The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) are a Palestinian militant network which operates in the Gaza Strip. ...

On October 14, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei stated that the Palestinian Authority is unable to stop the spreading anarchy. While routinely blaming Israel for the PA's problems, he pointed out that the many PA security forces are hobbled by corruption and factional feuding. Due to the lack of governmentals reforms demanded by international peace mediators, Palestinian legislators demanded Qurei present a report on the matter by October 20, at which point they will decide upon holding a no-confidence vote. [31] October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ahmed Qureia, AKA Abu Alaa Ahmed Ali Mohammed Qurei (or Qureia; أحمد علي محمد قريع), also known as Abu Alaa (أبو علاء) (born March 26, 1937) is prime minister of the Palestinian Authority. ...

On October 19, a group of Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members, led by Zakariya Zubeidi, seized the Palestinan Finance ministry and Palestinian parliament. [32] October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (كتائب شهداء الأقصى) are a Palestinian armed terrorist group closely linked to the Fatah party. ...

References

1. ^ David Hirst, "The New Oppressor of the Palestinians," Guardian (London), July 6, 1996, reprinted in World Press Review, October 1996, p. 11. Hirst suggests that there are 40,000-50,000 security officers. For Israeli press reports about there being 40,000 officers, see Steve Rodan, "Gov't: PA Has 16,000 More Policemen than Permitted by Oslo," Jerusalem Post (international edition), May 2, 1998, p. 3. According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli defense sources said in September 1996 that the number of armed men in the PA had risen to 80,000. See Steve Rodan, "Palestinians Have 80,000 Armed Fighters," Jerusalem Post, September 27, 1996, p. 5.
2. ^ “Palestinian fury at Israeli refusal to unblock funds,” Agence France Presse, February 2, 2006.
3. ^ “U.S. and Israelis Are Said to Talk of Hamas Ouster,” The New York Times, February 14, 2006.
4. ^ “L'Université Paris-VI (Jussieu) vote pour l'arrêt de la coopération avec Israël,” Europalestine, December 19, 2002.

Agence France-Presse (abbreviated AFP) is the oldest news agency in the world. ... The New York Times is a newspaper published in New York City by Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. ... CAPJPO-Europalestine is an NGO (Non-governmental organization) dedicated to the end of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. ...

See also

• Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• List of cities in Palestinian Authority areas
• State of Palestine
• Children and minors in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• PLO and Hamas
• Palestinian terrorism
• Violence against Israelis
• Palestinian Legislative Council
• Palestine Liberation Army

This article needs to be updated to deal with the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. ... This is a list of cities in on the territory of the Palestinian National Authority (yet not necessarily under its jurisdiction). ... ... Since the start of the modern Israeli-Palestinian conflict, violence has been employed by both sides as a tool of political and physical conquest, resistance and retaliation. ... One issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the charge that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the main political organization of the Palestinians, is allied with Hamas, a Palestinian fundamentalist paramilitary and political organization, which is accused of organizing suicide bombers and other attacks against Israel, often targeting civilians. ... The term Palestinian terrorism is commonly used to describe acts of political violence committed by Palestinian individuals or groups against Israelis, Jews, and nationals of other countries. ... Many acts of violence and acts of terrorism were committed by individuals, groups and employees of the Palestinian National Authority against Israeli civilians in the last 4 years, since the failure of the Camp David talks in the summer of 2000. ... The Palestinian Legislative Council, (sometimes referred to to as the Palestinan Parliament) the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 88 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. ... The Palestine Liberation Army, also known as the PLA, was a regular military force recruited from among Palestinians by the Syrians. ...

External links

Palestinian National Authority Portal

Government Image File history File links Portal. ...

• Palestinian National Authority official site
• The Palestinian Legislative Council (Arabic)

General information

• Better World - Israel and Palestine - link collection
• Columbia University Libraries - Palestine directory category of the WWW-VL
• Open Directory Project - Palestinian Territory Government directory category
• Yahoo! - Palestinian Authority directory category
• Council on Foreign Relations - Palestinian Authority
• British Foreign & Commonwealth office - Palestine National Authority

Other

• PA President Yasser Arafat memorial site
• Israeli Institute for Combatting Terrorism - The Palestinian Security Services: Between Police and Army
• MEMRI - Daily Life in the Palestininian Authority
• The 'Intra'fada or 'Chaos of the Weapons', An Analysis of Internal Palestinian Violence by the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group
• The Palestinian Security Services: Between Police and Army Mideast Review of International Affairs Volume 3, No. 2—June 1999
• US-Israel.org - Palestinian Authority Threatens Cameraman Prevents Broadcast of Palestinians Celebrating Attack on U.S. (September 11-13, 2001)
• Israeli Intelligence - Peace Against Truth: When Peace Movements Reinforce Evil On funding sources of uses by the Palestinian Authority and PLO
• Jerusalem Post - Engineering civilian casualties (registration required) (reprint free access)
• China Daily - Mediators Tell Palestinians to Reform or Lose Aid
• Daily Star - Time has come for a long, hard look inside the Palestinian Authority (Lebanese Daily Newspaper )
• The EU's new Palestine dilemma by Khaled Diab