And contenders are already baying to replace the PA's increasingly frail president, Mr Abbas, now 75, who often says he wants to step down.

ECONOMIST: Democracy is flagging in both the Palestinian territories

Many Palestinians have expressed anger at PA President Mahmoud Abbas for seeming to let Israelis off the hook following Goldstone's trenchant criticism of Israel's blockade of Gaza and attacks on its citizens.

BBC: Palestinian U-turn on Gaza report

Since PA President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Fayyad to lead the rump Fatah government in Judea and Samaria after Hamas took over the Gaza Strip, US aid to the PA has increased by more than 700 percent.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: What the Palestinians buy with American money