The World Keeps Rewarding The Palestinian Authority - So Why Change?

Mahmoud Abbas stood before the United Nations last week--virtually--and delivered an astonishing message to the world. The Palestinian Authority's reform job is essentially finished. "We have completed the national reform program," Abbas declared, claiming his government had strengthened transparency, accountability, financial management, the rule of law and the fight against corruption. He said the Palestinian welfare system had been transformed. Education was being reformed according to international standards. Democratic renewal was underway. The Palestinian leadership rejected terrorism, extremism, antisemitism and hatred. There was just one problem. Nine days earlier, the United States government had reached almost the opposite conclusion. The...