Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 89, has named an interim successor to take over if he is unable to continue in office, either due to death or other circumstances. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abbas clarified that the chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), currently Rawhi Fattouh, 75, would serve as acting president for a period not exceeding 90 days. During this time, elections for a new president would be held.
Fattouh previously served as a temporary leader following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004. Abbas has been president since 2005, but his tenure has been marked by declining health and increasing speculation about his future. Despite these concerns, Abbas has not appointed a deputy, a move that has sparked debate and calls from international stakeholders, including Saudi Arabia, urging him to designate one.
The announcement addresses concerns over a potential power vacuum upon Abbas’s departure, but it leaves the question of a long-term successor unresolved, as Fattouh is not being named as Abbas’s deputy. Abbas’s presidency has been controversial, and public opinion reflects deep dissatisfaction. A poll in September showed that 89% of Palestinians in the West Bank want him to resign, highlighting the growing disconnect between the leadership and the Palestinian people.
Israel’s Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter has indicated that, should a member of Hamas attempt to assume the presidency, the Israeli army would intervene and take control of the West Bank, further complicating the political landscape.
