Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, designates his aide as a prospective heir.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made a bold move on Saturday, appointing his trusted confidant Hussein al-Sheikh as the inaugural vice-president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This new position has put al-Sheikh in the spotlight as a potential heir to Abbas, who is 89 years old.
The appointment took place after the position was established during a convention in Ramallah earlier in the week, under international pressure for PLO reform. The move could see a more significant role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip, as envisioned by Arab and Western powers.
A member of the PLO's Executive Committee, Wasel Abu Yousef, confirmed the news to AFP, stating, "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as a deputy (vice-president) of the PLO leadership."
The PLO, founded in 1964, has the authority to negotiate and sign international treaties on behalf of the Palestinian people, while the PA handles governance in parts of the Palestinian territories. The PLO is an umbrella organization consisting of various Palestinian factions, excluding the militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, currently at odds with Israeli forces in Gaza.
Al-Sheikh, a 64-year-old Fatah politician, boasts extensive experience, having spent 11 years in Israeli prisons during his youth. Fluent in Hebrew, he later became a veteran of the Palestinian security forces, bolstering his credibility.
As vice president, al-Sheikh now holds a crucial role in the PLO Executive Committee, the organization's top decision-making body, and previously held the position of secretary-general since 2022. Known for his pragmatism, al-Sheikh maintains close ties with Israel and the U.S., acting as Abbas' primary liaison for civilian affairs and managing travel permits for Palestinians.
The appointment aims to position the PLO as relevant in postwar Gaza governance, particularly in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict, reflecting Abbas' efforts to reinforce the PLO's presence. Although al-Sheikh's new title boosts his chances of succession, the PLO Executive Committee must endorse any permanent leadership transfer. If Abbas were to pass away, the PA's acting leader, Rawhi Fattouh, would temporarily take over until elections are held within 90 days, unless deemed impossible.
- Hussein al-Sheikh, now the deputy vice-president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), could potentially be the heir to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, given Abbas' age.
- The establishment of al-Sheikh's position was a result of the PLO's reformation driven by international pressure, with the aim of increasing the Palestinian Authority's (PA) role in the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip.
- Al-Sheikh, a seasoned Fatah politician with experience in Israeli prisons and the Palestinian security forces, now holds a pivotal role in the PLO Executive Committee, the organization's top decision-making body.
- The appointment of al-Sheikh is strategically positioning the PLO in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with the intention of reinforcing the PLO's presence and influence in Gaza, particularly in postwar governance.
