This paper analyzes four sets of options for political action in August and September of 2011, as the Palestinian Authority’s state-building plan reaches its deadline and Palestine is expected to seek membership at the UN. (1) A “business-as-usual” response to conclusion of PM Fayyad’s institution-building plan would weaken the link between institutional reform and political progress, possibly spurring Palestinians to seek direct-action alternatives. (2) Pushing for broader recognition at the Security Council, General Assembly, or outside the UN framework may also prove disappointing to many Palestinians. International recognition of Palestine in 2011 is unlikely to lead to establishment of a sovereign state that monopolizes the legitimate use of force within the territory claimed by the PLO. (3) A riskier option, dissolution of the PA, would return direct responsibility for administration of the territory to Israel, making the reality of the occupation abundantly clear. After discussing these options, the author suggests (4) the PA focus on “political deliverables” that would broaden its scope, reduce the occupation’s impact, and indicate to Palestinians that their government’s approach is helping them toward statehood.
By Elizabeth Sellwood
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