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Fatah Prepares to Replace Mahmoud Abbas

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - At the recent meeting of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in Ramallah, one key topic was what to do if Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas were to become unfit to rule as a result of his age (82) and fragile state of health. Abbas reportedly told the participants, "It's possible that this is my final meeting with you." The Council changed Fatah's constitution to allow Fatah Vice Chairman Mahmoud al-Aloul to stand in for Abbas as acting party leader for three months if Abbas becomes unfit to govern. Apparently, Abbas is starting to realize that he may have to leave his position and he wants to influence the choice of his successor while he still has the strength to do so. Mahmoud al-Aloul, 66, considers himself the heir to Abbas. He has a long history of struggle against Israel, was an early member of the PLO's higher military council, and supports a tough stance against Israel. Despite al-Aloul's rivalry with Jibril Rajoub, who is secretary-general of the Fatah movement, both men are working together against Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, an Abbas protege, and both are working against Mohammed Dahlan for the PA crown. However, Fatah sources say Abbas' preferred candidate for his successor is Gen. Majid Faraj, head of the General Intelligence Service in the West Bank. The writer is a veteran Arab affairs commentator for Israel Radio and Television.
2018-03-07 00:00:00
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