Palestinian Authority
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Established in 1994 as part of the Oslo accords, the Palestinian Authority is the main self-governing body of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza. However, terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad present a constant challenge to the PA's clout among the Palestinian people.
The PA, headed until his death by Chairman Yasser Arafat, includes an 88-member legislative council, and maintains its own police force.
יאסר ערפאת יצחק רבין ביל קלינטון הבית הלבן וושינגטון ספטמבר 1993 הסכם אוסלו (צילום: רויטרס)
Since the eruption of the Aqsa intifada in 2000, relations between Israel and the PA have deteriorated, and in 2002 Arafat was declared an enemy of Israel by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon until his demise in 2004.
