The process of Palestinian institutional reform goes alongside direct negotiations with Israel, and is supposed to lead to the creation of a Palestinian State by the end of 2011. A functioning, accountable and democratic Palestinian State would, in fact, constitute the best guarantee for any future relations with Israel. Yet the stalemate in the peace talks is likely to have negative effects on this process, making such a consistent effort fruitless in the medium and long term.

However, a close look at the Palestinian institutional reform raises many doubts around the real effects of this process, that on one hand – namely security apparatus and public administration - has evidenced major successes, but on the other - civic engagement – highlights a dangerous lack of social legitimacy. The Policy Brief investigates the main issues of the Palestinian reform, questioning the statebuilding approach in an ongoing conflict alongside the reshaping idea of a Palestinian State.