An-Najah Staff

This thesis have attempted to examine the Palestinian local administration through reviewing its stages of development, analyzing and evaluating the current situation following the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority The major aim of the study is to evaluate the current situation of the Palestinian local administration under the present circumstances; and to determine the obstacles and difficulties facing it in order to put programs and proposals for a future strategy, which will improve the performance of the local authorities and enhance their role and contributions in the process of development and the establishment of the future Palestinian State. To achieve this aim, the concepts and models related to management systems and local administration was studied. Also, the performance of previous local administration in Palestine was reviewed. The study has adopted a historical descriptive approach in addition to applying the analytical approach to analyze and evaluate the existing situation in Palestine depending upon information and data available through various resources, in addition to the results of the questionnaire distributed to a number of local authorities and related persons in north West Bank. The study's results have pointed out the existence of centralization within the local Palestinian administration system as well as availability of the multi-administrative levels, in addition to the large number of local authorities (particularly newly established municipalities). Also, it revealed the disability of those authorities to perform tasks and duties and meet the needs of citizens. In addition, the study has shown the irrelevance of the local authorities' law to the current situation, and the absence of the vital flexibility to confront challenges and accommodate developments. The study has concluded by pointing out a number of recommendations. The most important recommendation is to reconsider the role and performance of the Ministry of Local Government; so that it becomes only supervising and monitoring role. Also, it recommended the attempt to improve the administrative role of local authorities, and to reduce the administrative hierarchy. Moreover, the study emphasized the enhancement of the governor's role; and the merging (either wholly or partially) of municipalities. In addition, it recommended offering local authorities financial independence; developing the taxation and accountability systems, as well as reinforcing the decentralized administration policy in their relation with the Ministry of Local Government. Finally, the study has recommended the importance of revising a new law for the local authorities containing appropriate legal and legislative texts taking into consideration the participation of all related parties in laying out the proposed strategies, and considering the psychological, behavioral and environmental factors related to the Palestinian people.