Palestinian Cabinet Resigns

The Palestinian Authority will appoint new ministers in a move apparently designed to stave off Egypt-inspired demonstrations.

Although the Palestinian Authority has overseen economic and security improvements in the West Bank, the party remains on shaky ground. The PA was not elected, and instead seized power after the international community refused to recognize Hamas’s victory in 2006 elections. Accusations of corruption and incompetence are widespread, and only 16 of the PA’s 24 cabinet positions are even filled. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad accepted the resignation of his entire cabinet Monday and will appoint new ministers in an effort to satisfy Palestinians frustrated by the continued failure of the peace process and emboldened by populist uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Last week the PA announced it would hold long overdue elections in September, which Hamas quickly vowed to boycott.