Mahmoud Abbas Names Hussein Al-Sheikh As PLO Vice President, Signalling Succession Plan

<p>Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday named a veteran aide and confidant, Hussein al-Sheikh, as his new vice president. This is a major step by the leader to name a successor. Hussein al-Sheikh appointment as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) doesn&rsquo;t guarantee his position as the next Palestinian president. It does make him the front-runner among longtime politicians in the dominant Fatah party who want to succeed the 89-year-old Abbas.</p>
<p>According to the Associated Press (AP), the move is unlikely to improve Fatah’s image among many Palestinians, who view the movement as closed, corrupt, and disconnected from the broader public.</p>
<p>President Abbas plays a major role in postwar Gaza. Abbas has been under pressure from both Western and Arab allies to reform the Palestinian Authority, which holds limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In response, he has unveiled a series of reforms in recent months, including Fatah&rsquo;s recent approval of a new position, PLO vice president, just last week.</p>
<p>The PLO is the internationally recognised representative of the Palestinian people and oversees the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Abbas has led both entities for two decades, as per the report.</p>
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<h3><strong>Who is Hussein al-Sheikh?</strong></h3>
<p>Al-Sheikh, 64, is a seasoned politician who has held numerous senior roles over the decades, most recently serving as secretary-general of the PLO&rsquo;s executive committee for the past three years. A former member of the Palestinian security forces, he also spent 11 years in Israeli prisons during his youth&mdash;experiences that may lend him credibility both within the security establishment and among the broader Palestinian public. Now he is in a stronger position to shore up his power.</p>
<p>Al-Sheikh is Abbas&rsquo; closest aide and, crucially, maintains strong working relationships with both Israel and key Arab allies, including influential Gulf states. As Abbas&rsquo; main liaison with Israel, he oversees the issuance of highly sought-after travel permits for Palestinians, including VIP officials&mdash;a role that grants him significant leverage over his political rivals, reported AP.</p>
<p>Polls, however, indicate that al-Sheikh, like much of Fatah&rsquo;s leadership, remains unpopular among the general public. This week&rsquo;s closed-door decision by the PLO&rsquo;s ageing leadership is likely to further cement its image as outdated and disconnected from ordinary Palestinians.</p>