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Meet the Next Palestinian Leader

[Jerusalem Post] Barry Rubin - Muhammad Ghaneim, often known as Abu Mahir, 72, is the leading candidate to succeed PA leader Mahmoud Abbas. A founding member of Fatah in 1959, Arafat appointed Ghaneim commander of Fatah's forces in Jordan in 1968. Ghaneim didn't return with Arafat in 1994 because he rejected the 1993 Oslo accords as too moderate. Only armed struggle, total victory, and Israel's destruction were worthy goals in his eyes. Finally, Ghaneim decided to return and support Mahmoud Abbas. But this is not the man to choose if your top priorities are making peace with Israel and maintaining good relations with the West. He is the man you would choose if you intend to reject compromise, rebuild links to Syria and Hamas, and perhaps return to armed struggle. At the Fatah Congress last month, Ghaneim finished first in the Central Committee elections, far ahead of every other candidate. Ghaneim's success, and the others elected, show that the old Arafat crowd is still in control. If Ghaneim becomes leader of Fatah, the PA, and the PLO, you can forget about peace.
2009-09-25 08:00:00
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