| Palestinian National Authority |
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The Palestinian national unity government formed on March 17, 2007[1] (Arabic: المجلس الفلسطيني لآذار 17 2007) was a Palestinian cabinet headed by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, founded following Saudi-sponsored negotiations in Mecca. On June 14 2007, Following the Hamas military takeover of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the dissolution of the unity government. See also Palestine National Unity government formed in April 2011.
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Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian elections. As a result, Israel, the United States, the European Union, several Western states, and the Arab states imposed sanctions suspending all foreign aid, upon which Palestinians depend.
On February 8 2007 Saudi-sponsored negotiations in Mecca produced agreement on a Palestinian national unity government signed by Mahmoud Abbas on behalf of Fatah and Khaled Mashal on behalf of Hamas. The new government was called on to achieve Palestinian national goals as approved by the Palestine National Council, the clauses of the Basic Law and the National Reconciliation Document (the "Prisoners' Document") as well as the decisions of the Arab summit. [2]
In March 2007, the Palestinian Legislative Council established a national unity government, with 83 representatives voting in favor and three against. Government ministers were sworn in by Abu Mazen, the chairman on the Palestinian Authority, in at a ceremony held simultaneously in Gaza and Ramallah. In June that year, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip from the national unity government[3] after forcing out Fatah.
On June 14 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the dissolution of the March 2007 unity government and the declaration of a state of emergency.[4][5] Ismail Haniya has been dismissed, and Abbas will rule Gaza and the West Bank by presidential decree.[6]
Following the takeover of the Gaza Strip Egypt and Israel largely sealed their border crossings with Gaza, on the grounds that Fatah had fled and was no longer providing security on the Palestinian side.[7] Egypt fearing a spill-over of Hamas-style militancy into their territory assisted in the blockade.[8] The sanctions were tightened in response to rocket attacks on southern Israel and Palestinian militant attacks on crossing points between Israel and Gaza.[9][10]
| Name | Office | Party |
| Ismail Hanieh | Prime Minister | Hamas |
| Azzam al-Ahmad | Deputy Prime Minister | Fatah |
| Salam Fayyad | Finance Minister | Third Way |
| Ziad Abu Amr | Foreign Affairs Minister | Independent |
| Talab al-Qawasmi | Interior Minister | Independent |
| Nasser Eddin al-Sha'er | Education Minister | Hamas |
| Mustafa al-Barghouthi | Information | Palestinian National Initiative |
| Bassam al-Salhi | Culture | Palestinian People's Party |
| Radwan al-Akhras | Health | Fatah |
| Sa'di al-Krunz | Transport | Fatah |
| Mahmoud Aloul | Labour | Fatah |
| Saleh Zeidan | Social Affairs | Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine |
| Taysir Abu Sneineh | Prisoners' Affairs | Fatah |
| Samir Abu Eisheh | Planning | Hamas |
| Mohammed al-Barghouthi | Local Government | Hamas |
| Ziad al-Thatha | Economic Affairs | Hamas |
| Basem Naim | Youth and Sports | Hamas |
| Yousef al-Mansi | Telecommunications and Information Technology | Hamas |
| Mohammed al-Agha | Agriculture | Hamas |
| Khouloud D'eibes | Tourism | Independent |
| Samih al-Abed | Public Works | Fatah |
| Ali al-Sartawi | Justice | Hamas |
| Hussein Tartouri | Waqf and Religious Affairs | Hamas |
| Amal Syam | Woman Affairs | Hamas |
| Wasfi Kabha | State | Hamas |