The Political Future of Palestinians, According to Palestinians

The Palestinian people have traveled a long and frustrating road to self-governance.

The questions surrounding Palestinians’ political future have become even more urgent since President Trump scrambled the regional calculus, suggesting the United States could take over Gaza and send its roughly two million people packing. (The next day, aides tried to walk back aspects of the proposal.) Coupled with last month’s cease-fire, which paused the 15-month war, we have again arrived at a time when Palestinians are moving fast to figure out how to run their own lives.

Times Opinion spoke to five Palestinian scholars and analysts in Gaza, the West Bank, Egypt and the United States about what they believe the future holds for their people. The discussion, which took place on a video call on Jan. 17, was moderated by two Opinion editors, Krista Mahr and Meher Ahmad. It has been condensed and edited for clarity and accuracy.

What are the forces shaping Palestinians’ political future today?

Raja Khalidi, director, Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute, speaking from Ramallah, West Bank: The first thing Palestinians are doing is surviving. That’s what’s happening in Gaza, it’s happening in the West Bank, and it’s happening as a people globally.

The question is: How do we move from that into some sort of peace? We all want peace. There are two weaknesses that are critical to answering that question.