Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed his close aide, Hussein al-Sheikh, as the new vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The announcement was made on Saturday by Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the PLO’s Executive Committee. Al-Sheikh, a senior leader in Abbas's Fatah movement, is now positioned to play a key role in the future of Palestinian politics.
The creation of the vice presidency comes amid growing calls for reform within the PLO, which has faced years of international pressure. This new role is viewed as a significant step towards ensuring a smoother transition in Palestinian leadership, particularly as Abbas, 89, looks to cement his legacy and prepare for succession.
The vice presidency position was established during the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council in Ramallah earlier this week. During the session, Abbas reaffirmed his commitment to initiating a "comprehensive national dialogue" aimed at fostering reconciliation among Palestinian factions and strengthening national unity.
Abbas also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, stressing the need for a political process that would lead to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. In his remarks, Abbas outlined efforts to halt Israeli aggression, ensure the rapid entry of humanitarian aid, and restore Palestinian governance over Gaza.
Hussein al-Sheikh, 64, has long been a trusted figure within the Palestinian Authority (PA) and a key figure in Abbas’s Fatah movement. Al-Sheikh has held pivotal positions, including overseeing security coordination with Israel, a role that has earned him significant trust from Israeli officials. Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, noted that al-Sheikh has been "groomed for the past 18 years" in his relationship with Israel and Abbas, and is seen as someone who enjoys a high level of trust from Israeli authorities, even more so than Abbas himself.
Analysts believe that the creation of the vice presidency and al-Sheikh’s appointment signal preparations for a future transition of power. Aref Jaffal, director of the Al-Marsad Election Monitoring Center, remarked that these arrangements are likely a prelude to a leadership change, given the pressing needs of the Palestinian political system.
The PLO, founded in 1964, represents the Palestinian people internationally and is responsible for negotiating treaties, while the PA oversees governance in parts of the occupied Palestinian territories. The PLO includes several factions but does not encompass groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. With al-Sheikh's appointment, the focus now shifts to his future role in both Palestinian governance and the broader political dynamics in the region.
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