Expanding PA Authority and Institutions as an Outline for a Political Process: Israeli and Palestinian Perspectives

This essay presents an alternative to political negotiations over a permanent status agreement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and argues that this alternative can improve cooperation between the parties and maintain the viability of a two-state solution. Analyzing regional processes, ideas, and Israeli and Palestinian stances, the essay drafts the outline of a political plan based on unilateral moves to shift civilian authority in Area C to the Palestinian Authority, and limited, issue-specific agreements designed to enhance the PA’s governance capability. In addition to their potential to improve PA-Israel relations, such gradual, moderate steps may also bolster Israel’s position in the international arena while skirting the debate dividing the Israeli public. Moreover, in the long term, this outline can help prevent the inadvertent arrival at a one-state reality.