Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas designates Fatah movement associate Hussein al-Sheikh as PLO deputy.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas names aide as Vice President, shuffling Palestinian leadership
In a surprise move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed close aide Hussein al-Sheikh as vice president, according to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Born in Ramallah in 1960, al-Sheikh is a seasoned veteran of Palestinian politics, holding key positions over the decades. He currently serves as the secretary-general of the PLO's Executive Committee and heads the Negotiations Affairs Department. Al-Sheikh's background includes spending 11 years in Israeli prisons, where he learned Hebrew, and serving in the Palestinian security forces.
Al-Sheikh was named "deputy [vice president] of the PLO leadership," as confirmed by Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee. This appointment could position al-Sheikh as a potential successor to President Abbas, who is 89 years old.
The appointment comes as Arab and Western powers envision an expanded role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the Gaza Strip's post-war governance. The PLO, founded in 1964, is an umbrella organization comprising several Palestinian factions, but not Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, pointed out that al-Sheikh has been "groomed for the past 18 years in this relationship between Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel," further noting that Israel trusts him more than Abbas himself.
Abbas announced the creation of the vice presidency position during the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council in Ramallah earlier this week. He reaffirmed his commitment to initiating a "comprehensive national dialogue" to engage all Palestinian factions and achieve reconciliation and national unity.
Abbas also addressed upcoming political efforts aimed at halting the ongoing Israeli aggression and war of genocide in the Gaza Strip, which includes ensuring the rapid entry of humanitarian and medical aid, full Palestinian governance over Gaza, and pushing for a total Israeli withdrawal from the enclave.
The PLO Executive Committee is set to hold another meeting next Saturday to appoint a new secretary-general.
Worth Noting: Hussein al-Sheikh is no stranger to controversy, with critics arguing his close relationship with Israel and the United States undermines Palestinian interests. However, his appointment as vice president also signals a desire by Abbas to ensure stability and continuity in Palestinian leadership while addressing the need for reform and unity in the face of ongoing challenges with Israel.
Sources:1. Al Jazeera2. Reuters3. Middle East Eye4. WAFA Palestine News agency5. Palestinian Negotiations Affairs Department
- The appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as Vice President by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could signal a potential successor, as the 89-year-old President reaffirmed his commitment to initiating a comprehensive national dialogue.
- Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, suggested that al-Sheikh has been groomed by Abbas for years, stating that Israel trusts him more than Abbas himself.
- In a time when Arab and Western powers envision an expanded role for the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip's post-war governance, this appointment comes amidst ongoing war and conflicts, with Abbas addressing the need for halting Israeli aggression and ensuring humanitarian aid.
- Al-Sheikh, a seasoned veteran in Palestinian politics and a key figure in the Palestine Liberation Organization, was appointed during a session where Abbas outlined his policy-and-legislative efforts to achieve national unity and reconciliation.
- Despite the controversies surrounding al-Sheikh's close relationship with Israel and the United States, his appointment as Vice President could serve as a move towards stability and continuity in the face of ongoing challenges in Palestinian politics.
