Palestine: Abbas appoints Hussein alSheikh as vice president and likely successor

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas named a deputy and likely successor on Saturday.

Hussein al-Sheikh was appointed vice president of the state of Palestine and the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) - two newly created positions. 

His appointment was approved during a session of the PLO’s executive committee on Saturday. 

“Mr President, the trusted guardian. A sincere and obligatory thank you for your trust,” Sheikh wrote in a Facebook post after the appointment. 

“By the oath of God, Palestine and the martyrs, we will uphold this trust and protect the confidence you have granted me. Thank you with the same magnitude of loyalty that you deserve and embody.”

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Sheikh, a close confidant of Abbas, previously served as the minister responsible for coordinating security matters with the Israeli occupation. 

As a result, he enjoys close ties with Israeli military leaders and maintains good relations with American diplomats. 

In 2022, Abbas appointed Sheikh as the secretary-general of the PLO’s executive committee, the second-highest position in the organisation. 

Despite his high standing within the PA and with Israeli and American officials, Sheikh enjoys little popular support among Palestinians. 

He would have received only 3 percent of the vote if a presidential election had been held in 2022, according to a survey conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. 

His reputation has also been dented by allegations that he sexually harassed a female employee in 2012.

Foreign Policy magazine recently revealed that $100,000 in hush money was paid to get the claim against him withdrawn. 

Sheikh has refused to address questions regarding the allegations.

Hamas criticised his appointment in a statement on Sunday, describing it as "an external dictate" and "an entrenchment of monopoly and exclusion". 

The movement also said the move “lacked national consensus” and “did not reflect the will of the Palestinian people”. 

It stressed that the priority should be addressing the ongoing Israeli aggression, genocide and starvation faced by Palestinians, rather than distributing political positions.

Hamas also called for the PLO to be rebuilt on democratic and national foundations, free from external influence, and urged Palestinian factions to reject the decision.

Despite Hamas' criticism, the appointment was welcomed by several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan, which described it as an important step towards reforming the PA. 

middleeasteye.net