Following the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, Canada, and Australia at the United Nations, the spotlight turns to the pressing issue of who will lead it. This recognition is seen as pivotal, yet internal political fragmentation raises questions about effective leadership and governance. Sir Keir Starmer noted this move supports the two-state solution, but peace hinges on cohesive leadership.

 

The Palestinian territories remain divided both politically and geographically. The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, governs parts of the West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza. This division, dating back to the 2007 conflict between Hamas and Fatah, presents a significant barrier to unified governance.

 

The absence of elections since 2006 has left many Palestinians disillusioned with their leaders. Analyst Diana Buttu highlights the urgent need for new leadership, as many citizens have never voted. Despite discussions about potential leaders, one name frequently mentioned is Marwan Barghouti, who remains imprisoned in Israel, symbolizing the ongoing leadership crisis.

 

Looking forward, challenges persist with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly opposing Palestinian statehood. His government’s policies, including settlement expansions, continue to complicate any hopes of a cohesive Palestinian authority. The task ahead is not just international recognition, but establishing a credible and united leadership capable of steering the Palestinian territories toward stability.

 

Key Takeaways

• The two-state solution is hindered by fragmented Palestinian leadership.
• No elections since 2006 have fueled disillusionment among citizens.
• Policy stances from Israel complicate prospects for unified governance.

 

 

Related News: UK formerly recognises the Palestinian state

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-21

 

 

 

Whoever can kill off their domestic rivals first.

 

It will be bloody, it will be brutal, and it won't be anything like a Western Democracy.

 

Western so called Leaders, are so good at learning lessons 😳😳

Probably the microlight pilots will be leading this new state. After all, they were the reason the 3 weak woke nations recognized Palestine as a state. Bigger concern is now that Canada, UK and Australia cave in to terrorists, where will the next spectacular take place? What will the woke nations do to appease the terrorists?

What an almighty mess. I expected this from Australia and Canada. Their populations are almost entirely infested with the mind virus, but lots in the UK are still based. 

Indeed. The West has repeatedly created power vacuums through its interventions—or lack thereof—only to witness the rise of extremist groups that exploit these voids.

 

Afghanistan: Following the U.S. and NATO withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban swiftly regained control of Afghanistan. This power vacuum allowed the Taliban to reassert their rule, leading to a resurgence of their hardline policies. In 2025, the Taliban expanded a nationwide crackdown on fiber-optic internet, citing the need to "prevent immorality," which severely restricted access to information and hindered education and business activities. Additionally, the Taliban rejected U.S. attempts to reclaim Bagram Air Base, emphasising their commitment to economic diplomacy and constructive international relations.

 

Pakistan: The Swat Valley, once under the control of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), has seen a resurgence of militant activity. In April 2023, an explosion at a Counter-Terrorism Department building in Kabal killed at least 17 people and wounded over 50 others. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the TTP has been implicated in several attacks in the region since late 2022, exploiting the porous border with Afghanistan.

 

Iraq: The U.S. withdrawal in 2011 created a power vacuum that facilitated the rise of ISIS. In 2014, ISIS captured extensive territory in Western Iraq during the Anbar campaign, leading to widespread atrocities. Raqqa, Syria, became its headquarters, and by 2014, an estimated eight million people lived under its control in both countries.

 

Yemen: In 2014, the Houthi movement capitalized on the power vacuum following the Yemeni uprising. They seized the capital, Sanaa, and later took control of the government, leading to a prolonged civil war. The conflict has devastated Yemen's infrastructure and resulted in a humanitarian crisis.

 

Egypt: The Sinai Peninsula has been a focal point for militant activities, including those by Hamas. Egypt has maintained a significant military presence in the region to counter these threats. However, concerns have arisen about the potential for increased instability, especially with the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

 

Libya: The NATO-led intervention in 2011 resulted in the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi but left a power vacuum that has been exploited by various militant groups. The Islamic State (ISIS) established a stronghold in Sirte, Libya, in 2015, controlling large parts of the city and committing numerous atrocities. Although ISIS was driven out in 2016, the group's influence persists, and Libya remains fragmented with rival militias vying for control.

 

Somalia: The collapse of the central government in 1991 created a power vacuum that has been filled by various factions, including the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab has controlled significant portions of southern and central Somalia and has conducted numerous attacks, including the 2017 truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed over 500 people. Despite efforts by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali forces, al-Shabaab remains a significant threat to peace and security in the region.

 

Mali: In 2012, a rebellion by Tuareg separatists in northern Mali created a power vacuum that was quickly filled by Islamist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). These groups seized control of northern Mali, imposing strict interpretations of Sharia law. Although a French-led military intervention in 2013 pushed these groups out of major cities, they have since regrouped and continue to operate in the region, leading to ongoing instability.

 

These examples underscore a recurring pattern: where power vacuums exist, extremist groups often emerge to fill the void, leading to prolonged instability and suffering.

 

 

So the key question remains: who will actually be in control of Gaza? If Hamas is allowed to continue its militant activities unchecked, Israel will inevitably remain under threat and will feel compelled to respond decisively to protect its citizens. History has shown that half-measures only prolong cycles of violence and insecurity.

 

Hamas must be neutralised unequivocally before Gaza can be considered truly secure or viable as part of a broader Palestinian state. Israel is not opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state; it supports a sovereign Palestine in principle. However, Israel cannot - and will not - support a political system in which any threat, however remote, exists against its people.

 

At the same time, Israel is fully capable of coexisting peacefully with Arabs who seek a life free from violence. Palestinians who embrace coexistence, democracy, and mutual respect - whether they are in Gaza, the West Bank, or within Israel itself - can live alongside Israeli Jews, Arabs, and Christians with full civil rights and protections. The challenge lies in ensuring governance that guarantees security, prevents terrorism, and fosters genuine, lasting peace.

 

 

 

Never forget the Palestinian Authorities pay for slay policy. 

In every state there is a government.

So it will be in Palestine.

I hope the IDF would not have killed all.

Not Hamas and not Israel.

Israel has spent  lot of money on this war .

Gaza should be given to Israel as compensation .

If you want long lasting peace, let Israel lead it.

 

If you want continued brutality and a cycle of violence, let Hamas lead rule it. 

2 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Israel has spent  lot of money on this war .

Gaza should be given to Israel as compensation .

Maybe Netanyahu backing Hamas wasn’t such a good idea.

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Israel has spent  lot of money on this war .

Gaza should be given to Israel as compensation .

Well said.

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

In every state there is a government.

So it will be in Palestine.

I hope the IDF would not have killed all.

Utterly ridiculous. How well do you know the near east/eastern med ?

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Maybe Netanyahu backing Hamas wasn’t such a good idea.

 

   Yes, with hindsight, it wasn't such  good idea .

although in ten years time if Israel acquires Gaza , people might change their minds about whether supporting Hamas was  good idea or not 

1 minute ago, Thingamabob said:

Utterly ridiculous. How well do you know the near east/eastern med ?

Your comment make no sense. Just a lack of everything😂

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Yes, with hindsight, it wasn't such  good idea .

although in ten years time if Israel acquires Gaza , people might change their minds about whether supporting Hamas was  good idea or not 

The only way Israel will quite Gaza is by genocide and ethnic cleansing.

 

You should not project your personal tolerance of that onto others.

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Your comment make no sense. Just a lack of everything😂

What was it that made no sense ?

Just now, Thingamabob said:

What was it that made no sense ?

All

57 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The only way Israel will quite Gaza is by genocide and ethnic cleansing.

 

You should not project your personal tolerance of that onto others.

 

   Did you mean "acquire" ?

8 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

All

Ok. I'll try make it more simple for you. Main point is that on 7th October 2023 Palestinians  invaded Israel and raped and murdered women and girls. They beheaded some babies and burned other babies alive. Is that clear so far ?

On 9/22/2025 at 1:07 PM, CharlieH said:

who will lead it.

Makron 🤔

On 9/22/2025 at 1:07 PM, CharlieH said:

who will lead it.

and who will pay for it?    Three guesses

29 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Did you mean "acquire" ?

 

Perhaps he meant " Quit "

 

Easy mistake to make 😀😀

 

Perhaps the killing and murdering won't happen, and a coalition of the willing will go by the name of Famas.

 

A coalition of Fatah and Hamas.

If they are going to go down this already failed route again, then they need to talk to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank... not Hamas. Hamas has to go, but the PLO in the West Bank should be given control of Gaza under this questionable idea of two states, which has already been offered to the Palestinians back in the early 90s under Clinton, with Barak and Arafat within inches of a deal... but Arafat said "No", a missed chance IMO, and they could already have squared this away. 

Times have changes since then and attitudes have hardened on both sides, so the "two-state solution" might very well/maybe way past its sell-by date... unless Hamas is gone and the West Bank authorites take over, then it could be salvaged, maybe.

Trouble is, both sides will have to compromise, and they seem further away from each other as ever. The PLO West Bank authorities have wisely kept mostly quiet, and might be about to leverage that neutrality enough to make Israel calmer and a solution possible... with security guarantees for both side in place... maybe, just maybe. We'll see.

13 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

Perhaps he meant " Quit "

 

Easy mistake to make 😀😀

 

 

   What ever he meant, it will be someone's else fault

Quite likely that 15 years of Tory rule will be to blame 

As someone pointed out elsewhere, the Palestinian  Governement in the West Bank, who will no doubt claim to be the true representatives of the Palestinian people, a claim that will inevitably be accepted, are currently in the 19th yeqr of their 4 year elected term.