The Palestinian Authority Government of October 2003 was an eight-member Palestinian Authority (PA) emergency government that was formed on 7 October and existed until 12 November 2003. It was headed by newly appointed Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and established by presidential decree.

On 12 November 2003, the Cabinet was replaced by a 24-member government, also headed by Qurei.

Establishment On 6 September 2003, Mahmoud Abbas resigned as Prime Minister and Ahmed Qurei was asked to become PM of an emergency government.US Warning As Qurei Accepts PM's Role . Sky News, 10 September 2003 Following a suicide bombing in Haifa on 4 October, Israel threatened to "remove" Arafat and urged him to act within 48 hours.Arafat swears in Palestinian cabinet . Guardian, 7 October 2003."In response, Israeli officials threatened to hasten action to "remove" Mr Arafat and warned that a decision might depend on Palestinian action in the ensuing 48 hours." The next day, Arafat created a new government by decree, before Qurei had accomplished his task to form a government.Arafat Swears In New Palestinian Cabinet . Greg Myre, The New York Times, 8 October 2003."Mr. Qurei was nominated a month ago, but has been unable to assemble a full cabinet, with more than 20 ministers, to present to parliament. The emergency regulations give him a month before he has to seek a vote of confidence from the legislature."Arafat Swears in Emergency Cabinet . Megan K. Stack, Los Angeles Times, 8 October 2003."But Arafat caught even the ministers off guard by declaring a state of emergency throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip after the latest bombing. Korei and his stripped-down Cabinet of eight ministers were hastily summoned." Initially, Qurei had planned to present a larger government to parliament for approval later in the week.

The emergency government was to serve for a month, with a possible one-month extension, unless Qurei could present a full-sized Cabinet to Parliament within a month.Arafat swears in new Palestinian prime minister and Cabinet . Mohammed Daraghmeh, Associated Press, 7 October 2003 The Fatah Central Committee agreed to the emergency Cabinet, but the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Legislative Council refused to hold a vote of confidence before the formation of the full Cabinet.Palestinian designate: Future as PM uncertain . CNN, 12 October 2003

In his decree, Arafat had named Nasser Yousef to become the Interior Minister of a nine-member cabinet.The Presidential Decree which formed the Emergency Government: Presidential Decree No. ( ) of 2003. JMCC, archived 15 December 2003 However, Yousef was not sworn in. Palestinian sources said Yousef had refused to join the government because he was unhappy Arafat had appointed an emergency Cabinet instead of going through the normal channels. Other sources said he would be sworn in soon. On 12 November 2003, however, Hakam Balawi was appointed Interior Minister in the next government. After Arafat's death, Nasser Yousef became at last Minister of Interior and National Security in the Palestinian Authority Government of February 2005.

Members of the Government

October to November 2003 The PA Ministerial Cabinet List—Emergency Cabinet October 2003 - November 2003. JMCC. Archived on 5 September 2006

MinisterOfficeParty 1 Ahmed Qurei(Abu Ala)Prime Minister, acting Waqf and Information MinisterFatah 2 Salam FayyadFinance, acting Economy and Planning, Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Independent 3 Nabil ShaathForeign Affairs, acting Culture Minister Fatah 4 Naim Abu Al HummusEducation, acting Labor Minister Fatah 5 Saeb Erekatacting Justice and Tourism Minister Fatah 6 Abdul Rahman HamadHousing and Public Works, acting Transportation, Telecommunication and Technology Fatah 7 Jamal ShobakiLocal Governance, acting Prisoners' Affairs and Sports and Youth Minister Fatah 8 Jawad TibiHealth, acting Social Affairs Minister FatahNote: * Nasser Yousef was named Interior Minister, but not sworn in.

See also Palestinian government

References