Palestinian Authorities decide to establish a vice presidency under Mahmoud Abbas, with the potential office holder being viewed as a likely contender to replace the 89-year-old president.
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The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has introduced a new post, Vice Presidency, under their leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has yet to reveal his successor. This move, announced after a two-day meeting of the central council, has created a stir, as the role is expected to be held by the potential candidate to take over from Abbas.
Dubbed as Vice Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee or the Vice President of the State of Palestine, this position is significant, as the Palestinians aspire for international recognition of their state. It's unclear when or how this role will be filled, with Abbas having the power to choose his Vice President from the 15 members of the PLO Executive Committee.
The expectation is that the lucky chosen one will be Abbas's likely successor, though the process and timeline remain unclear. This move could be an attempt to appease Abbas's critics, as he faces dwindling support, especially from Western and Arab donor countries who demand reforms in the Palestinian Authority (PA) to play a part in post-war Gaza. The authority, which controls some areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has aQuestionable reputation, with longstanding accusations of corruption and poor governance.
It's important to note that Hamas, the political Islamic movement that won the 2006 national elections, is not part of the PLO. Hamas took control of Gaza from PA security forces in 2007, and efforts towards reconciliation have thus far been unsuccessful.
Tensions between Abbas and Hamas escalated when, on a previous day, Abbas referred to Hamas members as "sons of dogs" and asked them to release Israeli captives and lay down their arms. Hamas' Senior Official, Basem Naim, accused Abbas of repeatedly blaming the group for the ongoing Israeli aggression.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has taken a heavy toll, with at least 1,928 deaths in Gaza since the war resumed in March. As talks for a ceasefire seem stagnant, a Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo for renewed negotiations with key Egyptian and Qatari mediators. Abbas, seeking more involvement in Gaza's post-war planning, faces the challenge of stabilizing the situation and choosing a worthy successor within his PLO Executive Committee.
- Breaking news: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) introduces a new Vice Presidency role under Mahmoud Abbas, setting expectations for his successor.
- The move towards appointing a Vice President is crucial for the Palestinians, as they seek international recognition of their state in 2023.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, have put pressure on Abbas to reform the Palestinian Authority (PA), with Western and Arab donors demanding improvements in governance.
- In the midst of this, Abbas faces criticism and reduced support, further making it important for him to choose a capable Vice President from the PLO Executive Committee.
- The Palestinian Authority's reputation, dogged by accusations of corruption and poor governance, adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation.
- As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, causing over 1,928 deaths in Gaza since March, a Hamas delegation is in Cairo for ceasefire negotiations, while Abbas works to stabilize the situation and find a suitable Vice President within his organization.
