In a pivotal political shift, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has voted to establish a vice presidency role under Mahmoud Abbas, the 89-year-old leader who has governed the Palestinian Authority for two decades without naming a successor.
Following a two-day session of the PLO Central Council in Ramallah, officials agreed to create the position of vice chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. This post will also be recognized as the vice president of the State of Palestine, signaling a possible transition plan as Abbas’s leadership era nears its twilight.
Succession Speculation Intensifies
The new role is expected to position its holder as a frontrunner to succeed Abbas, though the method and timing of the appointment remain unclear. Abbas is reportedly tasked with choosing the vice president from the 15 other members of the PLO Executive Committee.
This move comes amid intense scrutiny and waning public support for Abbas and his Fatah party, particularly following years of political stagnation, lack of elections, and allegations of corruption.
Power Struggles and Rivalries
Abbas has long held dual leadership over both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the PLO, which are headquartered in the occupied West Bank. However, the PA controls only limited territory and has been largely sidelined during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Meanwhile, Hamas, which won the last Palestinian elections in 2006 and seized control of Gaza in 2007, remains outside the PLO structure. Reconciliation efforts between the factions have consistently failed.
Hamas officials lashed out at Abbas on Thursday after he referred to the group as “sons of dogs” during a speech urging them to release Israeli captives and disarm.
“Hamas is not the obstacle,” countered senior official Basem Naim. “Abbas deflects blame for the occupation’s crimes onto our people.”
Backdrop of Gaza War and International Pressure
The leadership reshuffle comes amid mounting pressure from Western and Arab donors, who demand reforms within the PA if it is to play a governing role in post-war Gaza. The PA has struggled with a reputation for inefficiency and authoritarianism, and Abbas’s bid to reassert influence is seen by many as a strategic political play.
Since Israel resumed its war on Gaza on March 18, over 1,928 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the total death toll to more than 51,000 since the conflict reignited in October 2023, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Ceasefire Talks and Regional Mediation
Talks for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled. A Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo for renewed negotiations, with mediation from Egypt and Qatar, though progress has been minimal.
