Some visible progress was accomplished in the areas of integrity and anti-corruption work during 2013 in spite of the political and financial instability of the Palestinian Authority (PA). General progress was made in advancing the principles of integrity and transparency and the systems of accountability. There was also tangible improvement in some sectors, in official institutions and some private sector institutions. However, the conditions within many governmental institutions, as well as some local governance bodies, and some official nonministerial organization remained stagnant or became worse. For example, regression continued in the role of the Legislative Council and the mounting unilateral authority of the President in administering both the Executive and Judicial branches of government. This was due to the pressures of the occupation and the impact of the internal division on Palestinians’ democratic life.
