West Bank progress stalled, report says

BRUSSELS, July 17 (UPI) -- Heavy Israeli security and the Palestinian Authority's deficient policies have stalled the peace process, a new report from the International Crisis Group says.

The report, released Wednesday by the independent non-governmental organization, says after Salam Fayyad became prime minister in the West Bank, there were hopes the region would prosper. However, the heavy Israeli security that has remained in place, along with few gains in establishing order in the West Bank, has stalled the peace process and any improvement to conditions.

The report, titled "Ruling Palestine II: The West Bank Model?," calls on the Palestinian Authority to improve security through a comprehensive amnesty program that encourages militants to disarm. The report also recommends that Israel allow the Palestinian Authority control over goods and people, among other ways to encourage progress toward security and economic stability in the region.

Additionally, Crisis Group analysts have called on Palestinian political parties Fatah and Hamas to reconcile differences for any long-term advances toward peace.

"From the start, the leaders in Ramallah have been in a race against time, hoping that the overall political context would catch up with their security and economic agenda," Robert Malley, Crisis Group Middle East and North Africa program director, said in a statement.

"But that has not happened. Under current conditions, the West Bank can no more become a model than Gaza can be effectively governed."