Hussein al-Sheikh Named PLO Deputy, Likely Abbas's Successor
Hussein al-Sheikh, a seasoned Fatah politician and long-time confidant of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has been appointed deputy chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and vice president of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The decision, confirmed by the PLO Executive Committee on Saturday, marks a significant step in designating a potential successor to the 89-year-old Abbas, amid growing international pressure for reform and speculation about the PA’s role in post-war Gaza governance.
A Strategic Appointment
The appointments, announced by the Palestinian news agency Wafa, follow Abbas’s nomination of al-Sheikh earlier in the week.
The move creates a newly established vice-presidential role within the PLO, which is authorized to negotiate international treaties on behalf of Palestinians. The PA, meanwhile, governs parts of the occupied West Bank. Al-Sheikh’s elevation to these positions positions him as the frontrunner to assume leadership of both the PLO and the State of Palestine — recognized by nearly 150 countries — should Abbas die or resign.
Al-Sheikh, 64, is a veteran of Abbas’s Fatah movement, which dominates the PA. Having spent over a decade in Israeli jails during the 1970s and 1980s, where he learned Hebrew, al-Sheikh brings a unique background to his new roles.
Since 2022, he has served as the PLO Executive Committee’s secretary-general and head of its negotiations department, roles that underscore his proximity to Abbas. He was also recently tasked with overseeing Palestinian diplomatic missions abroad.
Mixed Reactions to the Appointment
The appointment has elicited varied responses.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, noted that al-Sheikh has been “groomed for the past 18 years” by Abbas, particularly since 2007, when Abbas consolidated power following the split between Gaza and the West Bank.
Bishara highlighted al-Sheikh’s role in coordinating security matters with Israel, stating, “The Israelis know him and trust him, more than they know and trust Abbas.”
However, not all reactions have been positive.
Palestinian analyst Hani al-Masri, from the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies, criticized the move as insufficient, arguing, “This is not a reform measure but rather a response to external pressure.”
Masri called for a vice-presidential post within the PA itself, stating, “What is required is a vice president for the PA to whom the powers could be transferred.”
Hamas, a rival to the PLO and Fatah, sharply criticized the appointment. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said in a statement:
He emphasized that legitimacy lies with “the rifle for resisting the occupation, and the ballot box.”
Broader Implications
Saudi Arabia welcomed the appointment as part of Abbas’s “reform steps,” reflecting regional support for stabilizing Palestinian leadership.
However, concerns persist within the PLO about a potential power vacuum upon Abbas’s departure, which Israel could exploit.
Al-Sheikh’s coordination with Israel, including arranging travel permits for Palestinian VIPs, has made him a key figure in maintaining relations under occupation, though it has also fueled public discontent.
In a 2022 interview with the Associated Press, al-Sheikh defended this coordination, saying, “We undertake the coordination because this is the prelude to a political solution for ending the occupation.”
Despite his influence, al-Sheikh remains unpopular among many Palestinians, who view Fatah’s leadership as disconnected and corrupt.
As the genocide in Gaza continues and discussions about the region’s future intensify, al-Sheikh faces the challenge of unifying a fractured Palestinian leadership while navigating complex relations with Israel and international allies.
Looking Ahead
While al-Sheikh’s appointments strengthen his position, they do not guarantee his succession.
The PLO’s Executive Committee, composed of veteran politicians, must approve a permanent replacement for Abbas, and the PA would require separate leadership arrangements.
For now, al-Sheikh’s rise signals Abbas’s intent to ensure continuity, but it also underscores the broader challenges facing Palestinian governance in a time of crisis.