Description
There has been much debate about the extent to which the Palestinian leadership is a legitimate and broad representative of the Palestinian people. The terms Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) are often used interchangeably and confusion exists about the similarities in their structures and functions. While the two bodies are – at least in theory – significantly different, this confusion is justified since they are very much interrelated in practice. This bulletin aims to shed light on the origins and evolution of both organizations and provide a better understanding of the relationship between the PLO and PA, as well as the possibilities and prospects for institutional reform, under discussion recently and partially agreed upon as part of the reconciliation process for Palestinian national unity.
