Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and Their Unique Context

Abstract

This rapid review explores the contextual factors that influence donor programme success in the OPTs. The success of anti-corruption, transparency and accountability programmes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) have been severely limited by the lack of checks on governing authorities both within the OPTs and from donors. Donor projects aimed at capacity building in civil society and advocacy for anti-corruption laws have done little to change the entrenched lack of accountability, integrity and transparency in governing structures. The literature surveyed includes academic and grey literature. Much of the academic literature addresses the role of aid in relation to the Palestinian governing structures, the Israeli occupation and the policies of major donor countries. International donor reports cover a variety of programmes and include evaluative statements which point to the positives of individual programmes (surveyed in sections 3 and 4). However, broader evaluations and the academic literature state that there has been no significant improvement in accountability, transparency and anti-corruption because of the overarching political situation and the unwillingness of donors to challenge this. The literature is gender blind.