In examining the current state of governance in the Palestinian territories, it becomes clear that results matter—much like in sports. A coach who fails to produce wins finds themselves out of a job, and political leaders must deliver outcomes or face repercussions. This relationship between leadership and effective governance is glaringly illustrated in Iran, where discontent has led to widespread protests. Demonstrators openly express their desire for freedom and voice support for external allies like America and Israel, highlighting their government’s failures.
Unlike Iran, the Palestinian Authority (PA) seems largely insulated from accountability. Reports indicate that instead of focusing on positive outcomes that benefit their people, PA leadership propagates antisemitism and glorifies violence against Israel. This troubling trend reveals a disregard for the everyday realities of ordinary Palestinians, who have borne the brunt of prolonged neglect and mismanagement.
Tawfik Tirawi, a former Palestinian intelligence chief, sheds light on the internal issues plaguing the PA. By describing corruption within the authority, his open letter offers a rare glimpse from someone with insider knowledge. Despite his position, Tirawi’s assessments indicate that PA officials act without fear of consequences, enriching themselves while the population suffers. This claim resonates with the reality that elections have not occurred for years, with Mahmoud Abbas now in his 20th year of a four-year term.
Furthermore, the PA’s corruption is not merely financial; it includes violent acts that shape public perception and trust. The U.S. State Department’s revelation that the PA allocated more than $200 million in 2025 to support terrorists directly contradicts earlier commitments to reform. By redirecting funds rather than ending a troubling program, the PA has further undermined its credibility. Handling such matters without transparency is akin to cheating in sports—while others play fair, some continue to prioritize their own interests over the community’s wellbeing.
The fear of empowering Hamas—even amidst the PA’s gross mismanagement—often clouds Western policy decisions. History demonstrates the dangers of allowing failure to persist unchecked. The Hamas takeover in Gaza in 2006 resulted from its successful campaign against PA corruption, raising the specter of a similar fate in Judea and Samaria. A recent poll indicates that Hamas holds more appeal among Palestinians than Fatah, illustrating the potential for a shift that could pose grave risks to stability.
To avoid a repeat of past mistakes, significant changes in governance structures are necessary in the territories. One key shift advocates for abandoning the outdated two-state paradigm, which inadvertently entrenches the PA’s grip on power. Instead, a decentralized model emphasizing local governance could empower communities and diminish the PA’s monopolistic hold. This eight-state or local-emirate approach champions municipal and tribal authorities that could better address local needs, navigate corruption, and prevent the consolidation of power that has led to violence and unrest.
Examples of this local initiative already exist, as seen in Hebron, where the al-Jaabari family is exploring ways to self-govern away from the PA. They look to join the Abraham Accords, signaling a beneficial pivot toward collaboration rather than conflict. By embracing local governance, communities could foster moderation and resilience, redefining what Palestinian politics should aspire to be.
Another critical area requiring reform is education. The current curriculum—drawn from a trove of existing materials—encourages hostility towards Israel and Jews, instilling a culture of incitement rather than coexistence. By destroying the fabric that currently fosters enmity and angst, educational reform could play an instrumental role in redirecting the narrative toward one of peace and understanding. Under a decentralized framework, local governments could adopt pluralistic education, incentivizing those that do while isolating militant factions.
As former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman articulates, genuine human flourishing in Judea and Samaria relies less on aspirations of abstract statehood and more on measures of local autonomy and integrated economies. Empowering local governance and reforming education may pave the way for future stability. If a sports team finds itself continually losing, the answer lies not only in changing players but also in reevaluating game strategies. Such logic applies to Palestine today; without significant reforms, the broken system will continue to fail its people.
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