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Why does Palestinian Authority control over the West Bank differ from full sovereignty?
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Palestinian Authority
U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton (center) looking on as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) shakes hands with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Self-Rule, September 1993.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) does not possess full sovereignty because it functions as an interim governing body established by the Oslo Accords rather than as a fully independent state. Its authority is limited by several key factors:12
- Military Occupation: The West Bank has remained under Israeli military occupation since the Six-Day War of 1967. The PA lacks a monopoly on the use of force, which is a traditional criterion for a modern state, as Israel maintains overarching military authority in the territory.32
- Administrative Divisions: Under the Oslo II agreement, the West Bank is divided into three zones. In Area C, which comprises a significant portion of the territory, Israel retains full administrative and security control. Even in areas where the PA has administrative responsibilities, security is often shared with or subject to the Israel Defense Forces.45
- Security Cooperation: A core proviso of the peace agreements requires PA security forces to operate in partnership with Israeli forces, including intelligence sharing and joint patrols.4
- Limited Recognition: While many countries recognize Palestinian statehood, the United Nations has not granted Palestine full membership, and Israel rejects claims to full sovereignty, citing security needs.2