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Abbas Accused by Rival of Embezzling $2 Billion
(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - On Jan. 3, 2021, Mohammed Dahlan broadcast on his Al Kuffiya network a two-part documentary program called "The Lost Story," including the revelation that PA President Mahmoud Abbas embezzled more than $2 billion from the Palestinian Authority Investment Fund. The program revealed documents and audio recordings of senior Fatah figures allegedly confirming Dahlan's accusations. Dahlan's accusations include responsibility for the fall of Gaza to Hamas and the failure of the Fatah movement in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections. Attempts by Abbas to kill Dahlan were also cited. As a result, Dahlan feared for his life and fled the West Bank to Jordan and then on to the UAE. Senior Fatah official Dr. Sari Nusseibeh appeared on the program alongside Dahlan, describing the Abbas' behavior against him as "Mafia conduct." It is likely that Dahlan concluded that this was the best time to disclose all the information he possessed about Abbas' actions and failures in an attempt to discredit him before the new U.S. administration. At the same time, Dahlan wants to improve his own image among residents of the territories as the battle of succession in the Palestinian Authority leadership continues. The writer, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center.