Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed veteran Fatah leader Hussein al-Sheikh, aged 64, as the deputy vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This major step comes in response to increasing global calls for change in the PLO’s leadership and practices. It fits into a larger Arab-Western vision for a bigger role for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in governing the Gaza Strip following last week’s fighting.
Abbas announced the creation of the vice presidency position during the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council held in Ramallah. The appointment of al-Sheikh was not just a random strategic decision. He has fostered a productive working relationship with Abbas and is instrumental to Palestinian coordination of all security with Israeli authorities – something he’s been carrying out for more than half a decade.
As a senior figure within the Fatah movement, al-Sheikh’s new role may signify a shift in leadership dynamics within the Palestinian political landscape. His long-standing collaboration with Israel has fostered a level of trust, with analysts noting that “Israel knows and trusts him more than they know and trust Abbas himself,” according to Marwan Bishara, an Al Jazeera senior political analyst. Bishara further remarked that al-Sheikh has been “groomed for the past 18 years in this relationship between Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority and Israel.”
Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the Executive Committee, confirmed the PLO’s statement. He highlighted al-Sheikh’s decisive leadership style in navigating complex internal and external political realities. His appointment aligns with calls from Palestinian officials like Aref Jaffal, who emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a coherent response to the Palestinian situation, stating, “as there are many things the Palestinian situation requires.”
Most observers view this appointment as an important step towards preparing for a long-expected successor to Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the PA since 2005. There’s plenty of reason to be concerned about how impactful these reforms will be. Jaffal pointed out that “the Palestinian political system is already miserable,” suggesting that these arrangements could merely be a prelude to establishing a successor without addressing deeper systemic issues.
Al-Sheikh’s appointment arrives amid a tapestry of complex relations and increasing demands. Clearly, various factions are already at work undermining efforts toward reconciliation and national unity. The official Palestinian news agency, WAFA, underscored Abbas’s commitment to fostering dialogue among all Palestinian factions to achieve these goals.
