An Israeli-Palestinian peace deal would face new leaders, armed opposition, economic strain, and renewed violence. Signing a deal is only the first step. Each side needs a government that can keep its word and retain public support when the deal is tested.
The State Department’s overview of the Oslo process traces the effort to turn mutual recognition and interim rule into talks on a final deal. That process did not reach a final agreement. Palestinian rule later split between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Armed groups kept using violence. Attacks and failed talks also weakened Israeli faith in giving up land for peace.
The European Union supports an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. It also calls for reform of the Palestinian Authority. In 2025, the EU welcomed a decree-law that changed the welfare system. The decree ended the legal basis for prisoner and martyr payments as part of a wider reform plan.
Both parts matter. Reform without a clear political goal can lose public support. A peace plan without sound public bodies may rely on promises no one can enforce.
Congressional Research Service reporting on the Palestinians links Palestinian rule, aid, security ties, and the Hamas-PA split. A lasting deal would need a Palestinian body able to govern land, control armed groups, manage public funds, and keep its word after a change in leaders.
OZJF looks for four things in a peace plan: Palestinian leaders chosen by and answerable to their public, sound security for Israel, outside pressure against rewards for terror, and public bodies that can survive the next crisis. None can ensure peace. A plan that ignores them is unlikely to last.