Palestinian Authority: Israel Is Not a Peace Partner, World Is Too Focused on October 7

Latest Developments

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said on February 18 that Israel is not a peace partner and that world leaders are too preoccupied with Hamas’s October 7 massacre. Speaking to an audience at the Munich Security Conference, Shtayyeh said, “One should not continue focusing on October 7.” He added, “Palestinian suffering did not start on October 7. Palestinians have been suffering for the last 75 years.” Shtayyeh also said the Palestinian Authority (PA) seeks “unity” with Hamas.

Expert Analysis

“Only in a pathological perception of reality where victims of October 7 are considered perpetrators and where brutal terrorists are considered liberators would such an absurd Palestinian statement make any sense. This is just one more example of why the Biden administration needs to abandon its plan to reward Palestinian incitement to violence.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

“The Palestinian Authority has demonstrated time and time again that it is not serious about becoming a partner in peace. When the PA stops lauding acts of terrorism and support for groups like al-Aqsa Martrys Brigades, Israel will be more open to making concessions.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

PA Is Unequipped to Govern Post-War Gaza

U.S. and European officials have been pushing Israel to consider allowing the PA to govern the Gaza Strip after the war. Yet concerns persist over the PA’s ability to govern an independent Palestinian state, especially one governed in coordination with Hamas. The PA, currently led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is unpopular, exerts waning influence, and has allowed Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups to operate in the West Bank without significant limitations. Israel and the PA have previously engaged in successful security cooperation in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of PA rule in Gaza.

Related Analysis

“A Palestinian Authority that rewards terrorism has no place in Gaza,” by Natalie Ecanow

“The Palestinian Authority Can’t Govern Gaza After the War,” by Hussain Abdul-Hussain

“Palestinian Authority Sidesteps Gaza Governance,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Authority Denies Hamas Massacre at Music Festival,” FDD Flash Brief