The new Palestinian emergency government was sworn in on June 17 at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah amid Hamas’ rejection of this new government and its continued hold on the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, President Mahmoud Abbas swore in the new cabinet of independent Palestinian ministers under tight security measures during a protocol ceremony in the Muqata’.

The new ministerial makeup is as follows:

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance – Salaam Fayyad

Ministry of Interior and Civil Affairs – Abdul Razzaq Al Yehya

Minister of Local Government and Agriculture – Ziad Al Bandak

Minister of Tourism and Women’s Affairs – Khoulud Duebis

Minister of Economy, Communication and Public Works – Mohammed Kamal Hassouna

Minister of Education and Culture – Lamis Al Alami

Minister of Planning – Sameer Abduallah

Minister of Health – Fathi Abdullah Mughli

Minister of Information and Justice – Riyad Malki

Minister of Waqf and Social Affairs – Jamal Bawatneh

Minister of Prisoner Affairs, Youth and Sports – Ashraf Al Ajrami

Minister of Transportation – Mashhour Abu Daqqa

The key player in the emergency government is Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad, a widely respected independent figure favored by the West. In his inaugural speech, Fayyad reiterated that the new government would focus on providing security and stability to the people, stressing that the chaotic situation in the Gaza Strip would be on the new government’s list of priorities.

It is widely believed that the year and a half long economic embargo imposed on the Palestinian government since Hamas took power will be substantially eased if not completely lifted once the emergency government – void of any Hamas supporters – takes hold. The United States has already hinted at this while Israel has said that the new government constitutes a “new opportunity” for Palestinian-Israeli relations. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana announced today that the EU would restart direct aid to the Palestinians in support of Abbas’s government. A number of Arab states have also expressed their support for the new government.

President Abbas also issued a presidential decree outlawing the Hamas-affiliated executive force, previously under the Interior Ministry along with the movement’s military wings.

Meanwhile, Hamas has rejected the formation of a new government, calling it illegitimate, null and void, saying that according to Palestinian Basic Law, Abbas only has the right to dissolve the government and declare a state of emergency but not form a new emergency government. Hamas criticized Abbas’ recent moves, saying they were contrary to any unifying efforts necessary to overcome the current crisis.