escalating tension in Israel-Palestine conflict: mounting worry within Palestinian Libervention Organization that Israel may capitalize on Abbas's resignation
Title: The Appointment of Abbas's Deputy: A New VP for the Palestinian Authority and PLO, and Its Implications
Get ready to dive into the latest shakeup in Palestinian politics! Mahmoud Abbas, the aging leader of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), has decided to create a vice president position after a meeting with senior officials on April 24. Who's taking up the mantle, you ask? None other than Hussein al-Sheikh, a long-time confidant of Abbas and a senior Fatah official.
Abbas, who also serves as president of the PA, made this promise during an emergency Arab summit in early March. The question remains, however: who will eventually fill this role?
A Power Vacuum in the Making?
While some believe that appointing a vice president could help prevent a power struggle once Abbas is gone, Dianna Buttu, a former legal adviser to the PLO, has a different perspective. Creating a vice president post within the PA, she warns, could exacerbate conflict and lead to a more fragmented organization, eventually creating a power vacuum that will be filled by external actors – specifically, the Americans and Israelis.
A Long and Troubled History
Abbas, now 89, has ruled without a popular mandate since dissolving parliament in 2007. His Fatah party has dominated the PA and PLO, and the long-defunct parliament has faded away, with critics accusing Abbas of undermining attempts to hold elections that could revive it. The PA was established by the Oslo Peace Accords, signed in 1993 and 1995, with the mission to govern the West Bank and Gaza until a Palestinian state was created alongside Israel. However, the PA has lost credibility among Palestinians due to Israel's increasingly violent and oppressive occupation and the continued expansion of Israeli settlements.
A Vietnam for Palestinians?
In 2007, a violent split with Hamas in Gaza constrained the PA's authority to the parts of the occupied West Bank that it had some limited control over. The situation has grown worse in recent years, with Abbas's popularity slipping as people's suffering increases and the PA continues its security coordination with Israel. The PA is also criticized for its failure to protect Palestinians from Israeli troops and settlers while using its authority to crack down on civil activists and opposition figures.
A Shadowy Successor Takes Shape
Al-Sheikh, 64, is a key figure in Fatah, having served as PLO Executive Committee secretary-general and presidential adviser, and is well-connected to both Abbas and Israeli officials. Critics view him as a potentially divisive choice, given his close ties to the Israeli authorities and perceptions of corruption. Some Palestinians see him as a liaison for the occupation, while others don't hold him in high regard.
External Pressure and a New Reconstruction Plan
The pressure for Abbas to appoint a successor to prevent the PA from dissolving into chaos has increased in recent months, with Egypt leading the charge. In March, Egypt unveiled its plan to reconstruct Gaza, which includes creating a Palestinian technocratic administration supervised by the PA, to counter efforts to ethnically cleanse Gaza and turn it into a “Middle East Riviera.” However, the path to PA administration of Gaza is unclear, as both Hamas and Israel object to it.
In response, Abbas delivered angry broadsides against Hamas during meetings, blaming the group for allowing the continuation of Israel's violence in Gaza by not handing over captives and disarming. Meanwhile, many Arab states blame Abbas for failing to reconcile Fatah and Hamas, making them eager to see a change of guard in the PA.
An Unconventional Solution
Buttu suggests that rather than creating a new political post, Abbas should hold elections for Fatah, the PLO, and the PA. The last time voting was held was just before the conflict between Hamas and Fatah in 2006, and Hamas won a huge majority in those elections. However, elections could prove technically difficult due to the ongoing violence and Israeli movement restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza. Nevertheless, Buttu believes that Palestinians could find ways to vote, possibly through an online portal or process.
The Road Ahead
The appointment of al-Sheikh as Abbas's deputy could be seen as an effort to maintain continuity and address concerns about a leadership vacuum. It also aligns with demands from the U.S. and Gulf states for PA reforms, aiming to bolster the PA's role in postwar Gaza governance and future negotiations. However, al-Sheikh's lack of electoral backing could further undermine the PA's credibility, especially if Hamas rejects his authority. Additionally, his controversial reputation as a pragmatist with strong Israeli connections could potentially alienate Palestinians critical of the security coordination with Israel.
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- The latest news in war-and-conflicts and general-news sections involves a new leadership shakeup in Palestinian politics, as Mahmoud Abbas, the aging president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), has announced the creation of a vice president position.
- The appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh, a long-time confidant of Abbas and a senior Fatah official, to this position has raised concerns about the potential for increased conflict and internal fragmentation within the PA.
- Some experts, such as Dianna Buttu, a former legal adviser to the PLO, argue that creating a vice president post could exacerbate human rights issues and create a power vacuum that may be filled by external actors like the Americans or Israelis.
- Abbas, who has ruled without a popular mandate since dissolving parliament in 2007, has faced criticism for undermining attempts to hold elections, allowing the PA to lose credibility among Palestinians and becoming a pawn in the hands of Israelis.
- The politics surrounding the appointment of a successor to Abbas have been further complicated by the ongoing power struggle with Hamas, as well as external pressure from Egypt, the U.S., and Gulf states to reform the PA and address the crisis in Gaza.
- A possible solution to this issue, as proposed by Dianna Buttu, is to hold elections for Fatah, the PLO, and the PA, which would help establish a more democratic and representative government that can deal with the challenges facing the Palestinian people.
- As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to remain informed and engaged, as the future of Palestinian politics and human rights will be significantly affected by the decisions made during this critical time. Sign up for Al Jazeera to stay updated on the latest breaking news and developments in this region.
