As a result, Palestinian society has been consumed by intense debate. On the forefront of the debate is the personal legacy of Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), a man seen as the first real challenge to the authority of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Arafat has rarely been challenged from within his ranks. Israel schemed for years to undermine Arafat's influence among his people, but failed. Opinion polls have shown that Arafat's popularity surges during Israeli crackdowns, especially if the aging leader becomes a target.

Independent politicians and opposition groups such as Hamas continue to be regarded with respect by segments of Palestinian society, but they, too, have failed to present a challenge to Arafat. Some are not interested in presenting themselves as alternatives, and others, although respected, haven't been given the chance to prove their capability to lead.

But within Arafat's circle, Abu Mazen's challenge is unprecedented. He is different because he emerged as the outcome of two simultaneous movements, one genuine and the other political. The genuine movement was the Palestinian people's desire for true reforms and democracy. The other presented itself in the form of the so-called Middle East Quartet for peace, designed to forge a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis of the U.S.-authored road map for peace initiative.

The Palestinian people's call for reforms emerged shortly after the birth of the Palestinian Authority (PA), but has been strongly emphasized following the Israeli reoccupation of the major urban centers in the West Bank in March 2002 and again in June (a reoccupation that has yet to end). While the Palestinian resistance put up a good fight, the Palestinian Authority scrambled with uncertainty, with accusations exchanged among various Palestinian officials. Some vowed to "resist until the end" and others were willing to talk with Israel without conditions, openly willing to compromise even though virtually nothing on which to compromise was left.

A split took place in the PA that subsequently reflected on the Fatah movement, the largest PLO faction and the leadership base for the PA.

A portion within Fatah is concerned more about national unity among various Palestinian movements. It refuses to negotiate under occupation and settlement expansion, demands an end to Israel's assassination policy and believes in continuing attacks targeting Israeli forces and armed settlers, yet believes in Israel's right to exist and preaches co-existence under a just and peaceful formula. Leaders of this segment have either been assassinated, arrested and put in Israeli prisons or are on Israel's wanted list. Marwan Barghouti, now in an Israeli prison, is seen as the leader of this movement.

Another segment, now emerging more forcefully, is represented by Abu Mazen. Abu Mazen made a few friends upon his return to the occupied territories from exile, following the signing of the Oslo Accord between Arafat and Israel in 1993.

Abu Mazen was one of the engineers of the agreement, which Palestinians now regard as one of the worst decisions made by their leadership. The man's wealth, crowned by his $1.5 million villa in Gaza, one of the poorest spots on Earth, evoked objection and bitter questions from many.

The intifada was a direct response to the unfairness of Oslo and led to the marginalization of Abu Mazen during its first year. In the second year, Abu Mazen was back on the scene, demanding an end to all violent expressions of the Intifada, calling to disarm Palestinian groups and for unconditional return to the negotiation table. Abu Mazen indicated his willingness to compromise on fundamental issues that ignited the Palestinian struggle for decades, especially discounting the Palestinian rights in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian people were increasingly demanding reforms that would create accountability on all levels, reforms that would achieve an equitable political governance representing all Palestinians.

The loud voices demanding reforms were heard, as Israel and the United States called for Palestinian reforms as well. But Israel's desire for reforms was motivated by entirely different reasons, primarily aimed at fighting the intifada with Palestinian resources. Until the present intifada, Israel was considerably successful in this regard.