President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority is considering appointing Muhammad Mustafa, a close economic adviser, as the new prime minister, according to several sources. This move would defy international efforts to encourage Abbas to appoint an independent prime minister to revitalize the Palestinian Authority. While Abbas is set on appointing Mustafa, he is still consulting with Arab countries before making a final decision. The current prime minister, Mohammed Shtayyeh, resigned in February, citing the need for a new government to address the emerging reality in the Gaza Strip. The United States has been calling for reform within the Palestinian Authority, while Israel has rejected any role for the Authority in governing Gaza. The Palestinian public views the Authority as corrupt and ineffective, with no functional parliament and no recent elections. The Biden administration hopes for an independent prime minister who is acceptable to Palestinians, the international community, and Israel. Source: www.nytimes.com
