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PA Prime Minister offers resignation after just eighteen days
Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah offered his sudden resignation yesterday just over two weeks after being appointed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
54-year-old academic Hamdallah, who was the long-time president of Al-Najah University and received a doctorate in the UK, was the surprise choice as Prime Minister earlier this month. Although he had served as secretary-general of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, Hamdallah had no significant political or government experience. Hamdallah’s appointment followed the resignation earlier this year of Salam Fayyad, a respected economist who was popular with Western governments and was widely credited with developing the West Bank economy. However, Fayyad quit as Prime Minister following increasing tension with Abbas.
Although it is unclear exactly why Hamdallah offered his resignation yesterday, most reports suggest that there had been a dispute over the scope of his powers. The Telegraph suggests that his two Deputy Prime Ministers, selected by Abbas, had left Hamdallah with little platform with which to govern. Muhammad Mustafa, director of the PLO’s Palestine Investment Fund and an economic advisor to Abbas had apparently seized control of government finances, while Ziad Abu Amr had reportedly taken responsibility for internal political decisions such as reconciliation efforts between Fatah and Hamas.
Hamdallah’s cabinet met just twice since his appointment and earlier this week he paid his first official visit to Jerusalem, saying that the city and its holy sites were a top priority for his government. However, there is no news yet over whether Abbas will accept Hamdallah’s resignation. His predecessor Fayyad quit the role on several occasions, only to subsequently be persuaded by Abbas to continue in his position. Nonetheless, the uncertainty within the PA is an unwelcome prelude for US Secretary of State John Kerry, who will visit the region next week as part of his ongoing efforts to kick-start peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.