As Palestinians head to Russia, Abbas ponders least bad option for PM

Daoud Kuttab

Feb 28, 2024

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas gesticulates during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on August 16, 2022. (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER / AFP) (Photo by JENS SCHLUETER/AFP via Getty Images) — Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas gesticulates during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on August 16, 2022. — JENS SCHLUETER/AFP via Getty Images

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The resignation Monday of the current Palestinian government headed by Mohammad Shtayyeh has revived discussions of whether genuine change will be seen at the Palestinian Muqataa, the presidential headquarters in Ramallah. Despite the announcement, Shtayyeh will continue to run a caretaker government until a new prime minister is chosen and sworn in. However, no indication has been given for the transition's timeline, and Palestinian caretaker governments have in the past been in place for months.

“This decision comes in light of the political, security and economic developments related to the aggression against our people in Gaza, the unprecedented escalation in the West Bank and the city of Jerusalem, and the fierce and unprecedented attack that our people, our Palestinian cause and our political system are facing," Shtayyeh said upon resigning, though sources say President Mahmoud Abbas asked him to dissolve the government in light of mounting pressure from the United States for government reform.

Abbas' top choice