A new leader offers little hope for Palestinians

The revitalisation of the Palestinian Authority (pa) is one of the watchwords of the plans—insofar as any exist—for a post-war Gaza. After Mohammed Shtayyeh, the prime minister, resigned in February, America and others urged the Palestinians to pick a replacement who could unite Gaza and the West Bank and rescue them from the sclerotic leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, who is 19 years into a four-year term and whom 88% Palestinians think should resign. Instead, Mr Abbas and his cronies, worried about losing power, appointed one of their own.