The expectation is that anyone who holds the role will be the successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, 89.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has announced the creation of a vice president under Mahmoud Abbas, an 89-year-old leader who has no designated successors.
After a two-day meeting, Bodhis Central Council voted on Thursday to create the role of vice-chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. This position is also known as the vice president of Palestinians, and hopes that one day Palestinians will be fully internationally recognized.
The expectation is that anyone who holds that role will be the forefront of taking over Abbas, but it is unclear when or exactly how it will be met. Abbas is to select the Vice President from among the other 15 members of the PLO Executive Committee.
The PLO is an internationally recognized representative of Palestinians and oversees Western-backed Palestinian authorities (PAs) that exercise limited autonomy in several Israeli-occupied western banks. Abbas has led both entities for 20 years.
Hamas, who won his last national election in 2006, is not at PLO. Hamas seized control of Gaza from the PA security forces in 2007, and attempts to reconcile between rivals have been unsuccessful.
Recent polls have shown plunged support for him and his Fatah party.
Western and Arab donor countries are calling for reforms to the PA to play a role in postwar Gaza. Authorities are deeply unpopular and face long-standing allegations of corruption and poor governance. Appointing an heir can aim to soften his critics.
Hamas denounced Abbas on Thursday for a comment he made a day ago, where he described the group as “the son of a dog,” urging Israeli prisoners to be released and lay their arms down.
“Abbas is repeatedly responsible for the crimes of occupation and the continued attacks on our people, and there is room for doubt,” Hamas official Bassom Naim said.
At least 1,928 people have been killed since Israel resumed the war with Gaza on March 18, bringing at least 51,305 since the war broke out in October 2023, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Abbas has sought a greater relevance and role in the postwar planning of the Gaza Strip after being largely on the sidelines.
Lessons on the new ceasefire seem to have made little progress, with Hamas’ delegation in Cairo for new negotiations between the major Egyptians and Qatari intermediaries.
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