Israel Security Service Warns Palestinian Authority Nears Collapse, Risks West Bank Unrest

Senior officials from Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, have warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other political leaders that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is showing signs of collapse due to severe economic and institutional distress, including rising unemployment and unpaid security personnel. This potential unraveling raises concerns about a possible escalation of violence and chaos in the West Bank, threatening the fragile calm maintained over recent years. Shin Bet emphasized that the PA's survival ultimately serves Israel's security interests and recommended restoring withheld funds and tax revenues to stabilize the PA. However, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich strongly opposes such financial support, having halted tax transfers and revoked financial safeguards crucial to the Palestinian economy. The warnings highlight a significant divide between Israel's security establishment, which views a functioning PA as strategically necessary, and hardline political factions that resist providing financial aid due to political and ideological reasons. The Shin Bet declined to comment publicly on these internal discussions.