The Palestinian Authority (PA) is the interim self-governing body overseeing parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, established under the Oslo Accords. It...
Mahmoud Abbas (also known as Abu Mazen) has served as the President of the Palestinian Authority since January 2005. He is also the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
The PA exercises civil and security control in Areas A and civil control in Area B of the West Bank. Its control over the Gaza Strip has been largely superseded by Hamas since 2007.
The primary objective of the Palestinian Authority is to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, existing alongside the state of Israel.