The revelations contained in the Palestinian Papers are plausible and have the potential to damage the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, says UNSW's Dr Anthony Billingsley in an article written for the Sydney Morning Herald.

Dr Billingsley, a lecturer in the School of Social Sciences and International Studies and a former Australian diplomat, says the previously secret records of peace talks, published by Al Jazeera TV and The Guardian newspaper, offer a "fascinating insight" into Palestinian-US-Israeli negotiations.

"Regardless of the documents' substance, what is clear is their potential to damage the leadership of the Palestinian Authority and to destroy any lingering illusion among Palestinians that there is any point in negotiating with an Israeli government," says Dr Billingsley.

"The result could be the collapse of the authority, which could force Israel back into a more direct role as occupier of the Palestinian Territories.

"At the storm front is Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader whose future, political and personal, must be under a heavy cloud."

Read the full article on the Sydney Morning Herald National Times site.

Media Contact: Fran Strachan, UNSW Media Office | 02 9385 8732 | fran.strachan@unsw.edu.au