Engaging with Israel's Neighbors: Meet Hussein al-Sheikh, the Pragmatist Slated as Potential Abbas Successor
PLO Designates Pragmatists as Likely Successors to Abbas
Ever since Mahmoud Abbas, the 89-year-old Palestinian President, has been at the helm of the PLO for over two decades, he's been resisting crucial reforms. But now, he's set his trusted right-hand man, Hussein al-Sheikh, on the path to become his potential successor. With a pragmatic approach and a knack for dealing with Israel, sheikh's been appointed as the vice president of the Palestinian organization, PLO.
Sheikh, a 64-year-old Fatah member, is no stranger to tough circumstances. Spending 11 years in Israeli prisons for his activism with Fatah during his younger years, Sheikh has garnered significant credibility among Palestinian security figures and the public. Abbas chose him as the head of the civil administration of the Palestinian Authority back in 2007, a position responsible for contacts and coordination with the Israeli government. Since 2022, he's been the Secretary-General of the PLO.
Recent reforms of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in the West Bank occupied by Israel and is led by Abbas, is being pushed by the USA and the Gulf monarchies. They're hoping for the PA to play a pivotal role in resolving the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Abbas, who has been in power since the death of former PLO leader Yasser Arafat in 2004, has long resisted internal reforms, including the appointment of a successor. As the Gaza war started in October 2023, pressure for reforms within the PLO escalated, setting the stage for Abbas to position Sheikh as a potential successor.
Sheikh's strong ties with Israel and his pragmatic approach have made him an invaluable asset in navigating diplomatic relations between the two parties. His role as Abbas' envoy on visits to world powers and his responsibility for liaising with the Israeli government demonstrate this close relationship. Al-Sheikh's been instrumental in arranging travel permits for Palestinians, including VIP leaders, granting him significant influence within Palestinian politics.
Becoming the next Palestinian president isn't a guarantee, as it would depend on the approval of the PLO Executive Committee and potential elections within the Palestinian Authority. Nevertheless, Sheikh's position as the vice president of the PLO gives him a strong foothold, making him a frontrunner for future leadership opportunities.
Sources: ntv.de, jpe/rts/dpa
- Palestinians
- West Bank
- Mahmoud Abbas
- Hamas
- The Palestinians are eagerly awaiting reforms within their Community policy as the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, has been resistant to such changes for over two decades.
- The pragmatic approach and strong ties with Israel held by Hussein al-Sheikh, the potential Abbas successor and the vice president of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), make him a likely asset for employment policy negotiations with Israel.
- Employment policy discussions and coordination with the Israeli government have been a key responsibility for Hussein al-Sheikh, underscoring his crucial role as the head of the civil administration of the Palestinian Authority and the Secretary-General of the PLO.
- If elections were to take place within the Palestinian Authority, Hussein al-Sheikh, given his position as the PLO vice president, is probable to be a frontrunner in the race to represent the Palestinians in the international arena, especially in the realm of politics, general-news, and WhatsApp discussions about their future.
