When a Palestinian woman went to this Jewish group’s annual conference, she found a growing movement of Jews and other allies.

In the wake of the Israeli elections and the financial crisis of the Palestinian Authority (PA), observers wonder about the dangers of a new Palestinian Intifada and the detrimental consequences for Israeli security and regional stability of dismantling the PA. Furthermore, observers struggle to understand and imagine how a termination or suspension of security collaboration between the PA and Israel, or a potential collapse or dismantling of the PA would have any benefit for the Palestinian people. 

In a perplexing about-face, there has been a revival of efforts to permit the exploration of Gaza Marine, the gas reserves located off the coast of Gaza. The development of this gas field is inarguably advantageous, as it could allow Palestinians to create an independent and competitive energy sector. Yet this push for exploration must be seen within its wider context, as part of a quid pro quo arrangement which reinforces Israel's continuing colonization of Palestinian resources.

Buttu writes, "Abbas’s term has taught Palestinians that liberation will never come through backroom channels or by appealing to the oppressor. One can only hope that the damage caused by his term will not be irreparable."

"You can be sure sovereignty won’t be on the cards for the truncated Palestinian state envisaged, or rights for Palestinian refugees. But Palestinian civil society at home and abroad will torpedo a bad deal … The Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement will chalk up more victories. The EU will be forced to take stronger measures against Israeli settlements and racism. The first cracks, albeit paper-thin, will appear in the solid US Congress support for Israel." -Nadia Hijab

"One high-ranking official from the Palestinian Authority’s Preventive Security Force told us: 'We get lists with names' from the Israelis. They 'need someone, and we are tasked to get that person for them.' These policies backfire. Palestinian forces lose the trust of local communities when they are seen as enforcing the illegal occupation and the losses of land and rights that go along with it."

What are the choices facing Palestinians regarding their state sovereignty, and how best should they be pursued? The International Court of Justice (ICJ) or the International Criminal Court (ICC)? Read this debate by Al-Shabaka Policy Advisor Victor Kattan and University of Sussex lecturer Michael Kearney.