On Friedmanisms – Friedman in NYT:

‘So, if you are for a two-state solution, you are my friend and if you are against a two-state solution, you are not my friend.
The fifth front is inside Israel and the occupied territories. In the West Bank, right-wing Jewish settlers are attacking Palestinians, while disrupting the efforts of Israel’s military to keep a lid on it in collaboration with the security forces of the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas. We must remember that the P.A. has recognized Israel’s right to exist as part of the Oslo accords. It would be terrible if that front explodes into a confrontation between the P.A. and Israel, because then there would be scant hope for ever enlisting the authority’s help in governing Gaza.’

Read more here.

The PA is perceived as weak and corrupt. Before this war started Hamas was in Gaza perceived as unresponsive to the needs of the people living there.

When it comes to the PA, no scant hopes. The current PA has no real backing whatsoever.

But Friedman is right that political messianism is a big danger to Israel, and for that reason also for the Palestinians. The idea that peace with the Arab world could be achieved without having to find a solution for the Palestinians blew up on October 7.
The outlook for the region is bleak, from Egypt to Lebanon, from Syria to Iraq.

Years ago, some people in the Middle-East told me that a big, bloody war will bring all parties involved to their senses.
Maybe, but I’m afraid that this is not that war yet.

The solution Friedman is hoping for, and he is not the only one, is as far away as ever. (But not only freedom, history is unruly as well.)
Forget the be PA. Both Hamas and Israel managed to discredit or kill any possible Palestinian leadership.