Mahmoud Abbas Nominates Successor Amid Growing Pressure and Rising Criticism
Mahmoud Abbas, the 89-year-old president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), has nominated Rawhi Fattouh as his potential successor if health issues prevent him from continuing in his post. Abbas’ decision comes at a time of escalating tension in Gaza, with Israel’s ongoing military actions causing widespread death, injury, and suffering. As criticism of Abbas’ leadership intensifies, the question of his succession has become more urgent.
What is the Palestinian Authority?
The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established in 1994 as part of the Oslo Accords, an agreement signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Its primary role was to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza, providing basic services like education, security, and utilities to Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Under the Oslo framework, the West Bank was divided into Areas A, B, and C, with the PA holding full administrative and security control over Area A and limited authority in Area B.
Despite its intended purpose of leading to a Palestinian state, the Oslo Accords failed to deliver full Palestinian sovereignty. Over time, Israel’s expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and the assassination of Rabin undermined the potential for a peace agreement, leaving the PA to continue functioning indefinitely under Abbas’ leadership, even though his term as president officially ended in 2009.
Why Is Abbas Still in Power?
Abbas has remained in power despite the expiration of his term due to a combination of internal and external factors. In 2006, Hamas, the Islamist group that refuses to recognize Israel, won the elections for the PA’s leadership. The West and regional powers, including the US, froze funding to the PA in an effort to pressure Hamas into recognizing Israel. A brief power-sharing agreement between Hamas and Abbas’ Fatah party collapsed into violence, with Hamas eventually ousting Fatah from Gaza.
Since then, Abbas’ Fatah faction has controlled the PA in the West Bank, but its popularity has waned as it has struggled to address the growing Israeli occupation and other internal challenges. Abbas, fearing a loss of control to Hamas, has avoided holding both parliamentary and presidential elections, the most recent example being the postponed elections of 2021, which Abbas blamed on Israel’s refusal to allow voting in East Jerusalem.
Abbas Nominates Rawhi Fattouh as Successor
For the first time in his presidency, Abbas has nominated a successor, Rawhi Fattouh, a senior Fatah official. Fattouh, who has previously served as the speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and is now the head of the Palestinian National Council, would assume the presidency of the PA for a 90-day period in the event that Abbas is incapacitated. During this interim period, elections would be held to choose a permanent successor.
Fattouh, known for his lack of personal political ambition, has indicated that he would relinquish power once a new president is elected. According to Tahani Mustafa, a Palestinian politics expert at the International Crisis Group (ICG), Fattouh is not power-hungry and would readily step aside. This marks a contrast to many other political figures in the region, where succession battles often lead to fierce struggles for control.
Why Is Abbas Choosing a Successor Now?
Reports suggest that Abbas’ decision to nominate a successor was influenced by pressure from the United States and Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia. In September, Saudi Arabia joined forces with several Arab and European nations to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a clear message that the situation must progress for peace to have a chance. Part of this diplomatic push included a $60 million financial pledge to the PA, which was contingent on Abbas selecting a successor.
The PA’s financial situation has been precarious, exacerbated by Israel withholding $188 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PA—a stipulation under the Oslo Accords that has not been honored. The Saudi conditions have added urgency to Abbas’ decision to appoint a successor to ensure continued foreign support and to stabilize the Authority amid ongoing political and economic challenges.
Abbas’ Power in Palestinian Politics
Despite the nomination of a successor for the PA presidency, Abbas continues to wield significant influence over Palestinian politics. He remains the head of Fatah, the largest and most influential Palestinian political faction, and has already chosen Mahmoud al-Aloul, a close ally, to take over as Fatah’s leader once he steps down.
More importantly, Abbas is also the head of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which holds far more authority than the PA. The PLO, an umbrella organization of Palestinian factions, represents Palestinian interests on the international stage and makes key decisions regarding Palestinian policy. Abbas has already maneuvered to ensure that his confidant, Hussein al-Sheikh, is positioned to succeed him as head of the PLO. By staffing the PLO’s executive council with loyalists, Abbas has ensured that his preferred successor will have the upper hand in any future leadership contest.
In the eyes of many, the PA presidency is a secondary role—largely a service provider for the population under occupation. The real power lies with the PLO and Fatah, where Abbas has solidified his control.
A New Era for Palestinian Politics?
Abbas’ nomination of Fattouh signals a potential shift in Palestinian politics, although the future remains uncertain. While the succession plan may bring a sense of stability to the PA, it does not address the underlying issues that have long plagued Palestinian leadership—namely the division between Fatah and Hamas, the failure to achieve Palestinian statehood, and the ongoing Israeli occupation.
In the coming months, the true test will be whether Abbas’ handpicked successors in both the PA and PLO can navigate the increasingly complex political landscape, both domestically and internationally. For Palestinians, the question of leadership is not just about choosing a new president but about finding a path toward national unity and self-determination amid a volatile and ever-changing region.
