In light of Israel’s increasing military incursions in the West Bank in response to the ongoing uprising, there has been growing talk since the end of November about the possible collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned Israel Dec. 6 that the alternative to President Mahmoud Abbas "could be the black flag of [the Islamic State].”
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat surprised observers by warning Dec. 12 that IS will gain further support in the Arab world should Israel continue to obstruct the establishment of a Palestinian state. According to Erekat, should the PA dissolve, IS will take the place of moderate Palestinians and start killing Israelis.
Mohammed Shtayyeh, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, stressed Dec. 10 that there are no cells affiliated with al-Qaeda or IS in Palestinian territories so far, but any attempt on the part of Israel to attack the PA could change the current equation. Some consider his words a threat that IS will attack Israel should the PA collapse.
Hafez Barghouti, the editor-in-chief of al-Hayat al-Jadida who has close ties with the PA leadership, said Sept. 11 that IS will be the alternative should the PA collapse and Palestinians would be left alone to fight the Israeli forces. He added that IS could attack Israel in an attempt to gain popularity among Palestinians.
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