Salam Fayyad

Salam Fayyad is the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, and internationally respected economist.

Born in 1952, Fayyad received his doctorate in economics from the University of Texas in 1986. He remained in the United States, where he worked for the International Monetary Fund from 1987 to 1995. Salam Fayyad also served as Palestine’s representative to the IMF until 2001 when Yasser Arafat appointed him as Minister of Finance in the Palestinian Authority. He has acquired a reputation as a trustworthy official for cleaning up the finances and organizing the books of the Palestinian Authority.

In 2005, Salam Fayyad left the cabinet and formed a new political party, the Third Way, which won two seats in the 2006 elections. In the turmoil caused by the 2006 elections and Hamas’ rise as Fatah’s rival in Palestinian politics, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency and appointed Fayyad as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.

Salam Fayyad’s record of cleaning up financial corruption and his role as an independent made him a welcomed choice by Israel and the United States. Fayyad is seen as pro-Western and his economic reforms have successfully helped the Palestinian Authority secure $200 million from the U.S. Congress. Although Salam Fayyad’s independent government enjoys recognition by Israel and the West, Hamas has rejected its legitimacy. The Hamas-controlled Palestinian parliament has not ratified his appointment.

In March 2009, Fayyad submitted his resignation as prime minister, but in May 2009 was reappointed by Abbas to the position. Since his reappointment as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Fayyad has drafted economic reforms while seeking an independent Palestinian state by developing Palestine’s economy and government infrastructure.

In August 2009, Fayyad unveiled his proposal, “Palestine- Ending Occupation, Establishing the State”, where he detailed a two year program for building vital infrastructures and institutions for a Palestinian state while working on peace negotiations with Israel.

Latest Stories on Salam Fayyad

Newt Gingrich July 29, 2011 (Natasha Mozgovaya)

Palestinians blast Newt Gingrich for calling them an 'invented people'

The Jewish Channel, a U.S. cable TV network, released excerpts of an interview which the former House Speaker said Palestinians were not a people because they had never had a state.

by The Associated Press 4 comments

Fayyad to Haaretz: I will not lead a Palestinian unity government

In interview with Avi Issacharoff, Palestinian PM says it 'was an honor for me to serve and I will continue to do so until my last day in the job.'

by Avi Issacharoff 54 comments

Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Authority, PA - AP - 23.5.11

Fayyad: Israeli sanctions have 'devastating impact' on Palestinian economy

Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad says he will be unable to pay the salaries of tens of thousands of civil servants due to Israel's withholding of tax revenues it collects on behalf of PA.

by The Associated Press 60 comments

Fayyad: Palestinian Authority will soon become completely incapacitated by Israel

Palestinian PM meets with Norway FM, who says Israel's withholding of tax funds from PA amounts to 'waterboarding an economy'; Fayyad: This is our money.

by Reuters 96 comments

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