Pressure for change has intensified after the war in Gaza began, where the main OPAP opponent, Hamas, is fighting Israel for more than 18 months
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today named his trusted associate Hussein al -Sheikh and his potential successor, as announced by the Palestinian liberation organization (OPAP), a step that was widely considered to be necessary to soften the Palestinian.
The 89 -year -old Abbas is leading the OPAP and the Palestinian Authority (PA) after the death of veteran leader Yasser Arafat in 2004 but has resisted for years in internal changes including the definition of a successor.
Sheikh, who was born in 1960, is a veteran of Fatah, the main OPA faction, founded by Arafat and now leading Abbas. It is considered widely realistic with very close relationships with Israel.
He was named Vice President of the OPAP after approval of his appointment by Abbas, by the organization’s executive committee, the OAS said in a statement.
The reform of the PA, which exerts limited autonomy in Israel -occupied West Bank, is a priority for the United States and Gulf monarchies in the hope that it can play a central role in resolving Israeli -Palestinian conflict.
Pressure for change was intensified after the war in Gaza began, where the main OPAP opponent, Hamas, is fighting Israel for more than 18 months.
The US is promoting the idea of ​​a reformed PA that will rule Gaza after the war. Gulf monarchies, considered the most likely source of funding for Gaza rebuilding after the war, also want major reforms in the PA.
Appeal to Hamas to disarm
Israel’s proclaimed goal in Gaza is to destroy Hamas, but has also ruled out the possibility of giving any role to the government there. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Hamas, followed by a militant Islamist ideology, has been controlling Gaza since 2007 when she won the PA in a short civil war after her victory in the election last year. It also has a great presence on the West Bank.
At a meeting of the Central Council of the OPA on Wednesday and Thursday, which approved the position of Vice President without appointing anyone for the thunder, Abbas made the clearest to date in Hamas to completely disarm and deliver her weapons-and the responsibility for Government.
Extensive corruption, the lack of progress to an independent state and the growing Israeli raids on the West Bank undermined the PA popularity among the Palestinians.
The PA is controlled by Fatah after being formed in Oslo’s agreements with Israel in 1993 and held parliamentary elections for the last time in 2005.
Sheikh, imprisoned by Israel for his activities against the Occupation in 1978-89, worked as the main association of the PA with the Israeli government under Abbas.
In 2022 he was appointed Secretary General of the OPA Executive Committee. He is also head of the organization’s negotiations department, a sensitive portfolio showing his proximity to Abbas.
The latter also recently appointed him the head of a committee for Palestinian diplomatic missions abroad.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.