In light of Israel’s increasing military incursions in the West Bank in response to the ongoing uprising, there has been growing talk since the end of November about the possible collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned Israel Dec. 6 that the alternative to President Mahmoud Abbas "could be the black flag of [the Islamic State].”
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat surprised observers by warning Dec. 12 that IS will gain further support in the Arab world should Israel continue to obstruct the establishment of a Palestinian state. According to Erekat, should the PA dissolve, IS will take the place of moderate Palestinians and start killing Israelis.
