Efforts to Prevent Collapse of Palestinian Authority Gain Support in Israel

Israel's security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to work towards preventing the collapse of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), although no specific steps were outlined. The PA's weakness has been exposed by increased military operations against armed groups in the occupied West Bank and the expansion of Israeli settlements. Netanyahu's coalition includes far-right parties opposed to Palestinian statehood, and the decision was not unanimous. The PA's popularity has declined due to allegations of corruption, incompetence, and unpopular security cooperation with Israel. The position of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also uncertain. US President Joe Biden warned that the PA has lost credibility and created a vacuum for extremism, with Israel being a part of the problem.