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The Coming Crisis in the Palestinian Authority

(Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Lt.-Col. (res.) Yohanan Tzoreff - A series of decisions on appointments and candidacies of Mahmoud Abbas' associates and loyalists taken recently is being interpreted as an attempted takeover of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority by the "Abbas camp" in Fatah, opening a new front for the PA vis-a-vis the public. It was decided to renew confidence in Abbas as Chairman of Fatah and the PLO; to approve Hussein al-Sheikh, the Minister of Civil Affairs who is very close to Abbas, as a member of the PLO Executive Committee; and to approve Rawhi Fattouh, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, also an Abbas loyalist, as Chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC). These decisions have many important implications regarding the struggle over Abbas' successor. Al-Sheikh's past complications with bribery and sexual harassment have received considerable public attention. Fattouh's appointment is also criticized, given his reputation as a corrupt figure. The main victims of the move are Jibril Rajoub, Mahmoud al-Aloul, and Tawfiq al-Tirawi. These could be joined by the factions of Mohammed Dahlan, Marwan Barghouti, and other disheartened Fatah figures, who are in effect left without a political home. In such a reality, the pressure exerted on the West Bank by Hamas from Gaza and within the West Bank itself could increase, with the aim of stirring up the population and increasing the protests against the Palestinian Authority and Israel. The writer is former head of the Palestinian-Arab Division in the Israel Ministry of Intelligence and Strategic Affairs and former Arab Adviser to the Civil Administration in Gaza.
2022-02-10 00:00:00
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