Palestinian Authority

American  

[pal-uhs-tin-ee-uhn uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-i-tee] / ˌpæl əsˈtɪn i ən əˌθɔr ɪ ti, əˌθɒr ɪ ti /

noun

1. a governing body, established in 1994, having partial administrative control over Palestinian areas of the West Bank and also claiming authority over the Gaza Strip.

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Palestinian Authority Cultural  

1. A legal entity, established in 1994, by which Palestinians govern the parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank that are not attached to Israel. Although divided on several issues, the leadership of the Palestinian Authority is committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, which, it expects, will grow out of the Palestinian Authority. (See Yasir Arafat, Oslo Accord.)

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Example Sentences

The idea was that the board would be the forum where Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other Middle East countries discuss political reforms, reconstruction, and other issues relating to security and long-term peace in Gaza.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2026

A former Palestinian Authority intelligence chief on Tuesday publicly accused the Palestinian leadership of allowing systemic corruption to flourish within its institutions, in a rare appeal addressed directly to president Mahmud Abbas.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Egypt, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as the West Bank-based, Palestinian Authority, have all been suggested as potential countries that would make up this force.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Popular Forces fighters have appeared with vehicles with markings from the United Arab Emirates, and some of the factions claim they are affiliated peripherally with the Palestinian Authority.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

These positive changes to the conduct of economic activity, combined with international donor pledges of over $3 billion made to the Palestinian Authority in November, may fuel a moderate economic recovery in 1999.

From The 1999 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency