The PA president appears to be backing rise of Hussein al-Sheikh, who has good ties with Israel, but critics decry backroom deals, saying next leader must be chosen by elections

With many of the PA president's opponents boycotting, his close advisers Hussein Al-Sheikh and Muhammad Mustafa are handed top spots in pan-Palestinian organization

In rare gathering of PLO leadership, PA president pledges 'reform,' but analysts say conference mostly aims to nominate politicians close to Abbas to fill key positions

Hussein al-Sheikh says he told foreign minister that Palestinian Authority believes in peace negotiations, seeks 'diplomatic horizon' with Israel

FM's office declines to comment, but does not deny meeting; al-Sheikh says he stressed need for a 'political horizon'

Until 2018, Israel kept Palestinian providers from installing 3G networks, and it could be years before 4G tech is rolled out, even as 5G becomes standard among Israeli competitors

Move was first announced this summer as part of Defense Minister Gantz's effort to strengthen Palestinian Authority

'The Palestinian people are in need of this money, especially our great people under siege in Gaza,' top Abbas adviser says

Some 5,000 families will receive family unification, a procedure long in deep freeze, as part of a first step towards resolving the issue, says senior PA official

Those seeking permits to reside in the West Bank face a strict Israeli system and a PA that may be burying their applications, making them prisoners in their own adopted homes