Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
RAMALLAH (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed his close associate Hussein al-Sheikh as his deputy, a move interpreted as a strategic effort to mitigate international skepticism regarding Palestinian governance, according to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
At 89, Abbas has led both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA) since the passing of Yasser Arafat in 2004. Despite his lengthy tenure, he has traditionally been reluctant to initiate significant internal changes or designate a potential successor.
Hussein al-Sheikh, born in 1960, is a longtime member of Fatah, the primary faction within the PLO founded by Arafat. He is widely recognized as a pragmatist, known for maintaining strong connections with Israel.
The PLO confirmed that Sheikh’s nomination, approved by the organisation’s executive committee, has led to his new role as vice president.
Internationally, there is growing emphasis on the reform of the PA, which has limited autonomy within the Israeli-occupied territory of the West Bank. The United States and Gulf states view these reforms as crucial for the PA’s potential role in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Following the onset of conflict in Gaza, calls for reform have escalated. The PLO’s main rival, Hamas, has engaged in a prolonged struggle with Israel, devastating the densely populated region.
The U.S. has advocated for a restructured PA to manage Gaza post-conflict, while Gulf nations, likely to provide financial support for reconstruction efforts, have also stressed the need for extensive reforms within the authority.
CALL FOR HAMAS TO DISARM
Israeli authorities have made it clear that their goal is to dismantle Hamas. However, they have simultaneously excluded the PA from any governance role in Gaza, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007, following a brief civil war that came after its electoral victory. The group also exerts considerable influence in the West Bank.
At a recent meeting of the PLO’s Central Council, where the vice presidency was approved without naming a specific candidate, Abbas made a pronounced call for Hamas to disarm completely and transfer its governance responsibilities in Gaza to the PA.
The PA’s credibility has been undermined by issues such as widespread corruption, stagnation in the pursuit of statehood, and increasing Israeli military activities in the West Bank.
Since its establishment via the Oslo Accords in 1993, the PA has consistently been under Fatah’s control, with the last parliamentary elections occurring in 2005.
Sheikh, who was incarcerated by Israeli forces for opposing the occupation from 1978 to 1989, has served as Abbas’s primary liaison with the Israeli government and has represented the PA in discussions with global leaders.
Source
www.yahoo.com