Palestinians not optimistic about future, PA faces dwindling popularity
The Palestinians’ optimism about the future has sharply decreased along with the popularity of the Palestinian Authority and its government.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The popularity of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its government is indisputably and incessantly declining among Palestinians.
This decline started when President Mahmoud Abbas postponed April 30 the general elections — presidential, legislative and Palestinian National Council elections for the PLO — followed by the security services’ killing June 24 of the political opponent Nizar Banat in Hebron in the southern West Bank.
Protest activities over the killing of Banat were cruelly attacked and protesters arrested, as part of a campaign that is still ongoing.
The PA is not to be envied for the pickle it is in, for its dwindling popularity and for the stifling financial crisis it is experiencing as a result of a significant decline in international support.
