President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority has appointed a longtime insider within the authority’s top ranks as prime minister, defying international pressure for change. Mr. Abbas, 88, named Muhammad Mustafa, a close economic adviser, to lead efforts in forming a new government, according to Wafa, the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency.
The priorities of the new government include providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, reconstructing war-torn areas, and reuniting Palestinian governing structures. However, the appointment of Mr. Mustafa has raised concerns among the public, who see the authority as tainted by corruption and mismanagement.
With Mr. Abbas firmly in charge and ruling by decree, the appointment of Mr. Mustafa signals a continuation of the status quo. The United States has called for reform within the Palestinian Authority, but Mr. Abbas’s choice has been met with skepticism.
Mr. Mustafa, an economist educated at George Washington University, has a history of serving in top positions within the authority. While some analysts believe he may face challenges in rebuilding Gaza and improving government credibility, others caution against rushing to judgment before seeing the new government in action.
As the Palestinian Authority navigates through these changes, the international community and ordinary Palestinians will be closely watching to see how Mr. Mustafa’s leadership unfolds.
