Eurasia Press & News
In a significant development amid one of the most turbulent periods in Palestinian political life, President Mahmoud Abbas, 89, has appointed senior official Hussein al-Sheikh as his deputy—his most direct move yet to address questions about his succession.
The decision, announced during the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, has stirred deep debate within the Palestinian arena, with supporters portraying it as a necessary step toward political continuity, while critics denounce it as a superficial reshuffle in the face of mounting internal and external pressures.
The appointment marks the first time Abbas, who has held the presidency of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since 2005, has designated an official deputy, fueling widespread speculation about the future of the PA’s leadership and the political fate of the Palestinian national movement.
Fatah, the ruling party within the PA, described the move as a preparatory phase for leadership transition and institutional modernisation.
Speaking to The New Arab, Maher al-Namoura, spokesperson for Fatah, claimed the appointment “reflects an understanding of the urgent need to adapt the Palestinian leadership to evolving challenges.”
“Al-Sheikh is not new to the political landscape, but he brings both international credibility and operational experience,” al-Namoura said.
“His appointment is part of a broader effort to ensure that the Palestinian leadership remains cohesive and responsive, especially in light of the war in Gaza and shifting regional dynamics,” he added.
Yet, despite Fatah’s assurances, many view the move as a consolidation of power by a narrow political elite.
Mustafa Ibrahim, a Gaza-based political analyst, challenged the legitimacy of the appointment and questioned the absence of democratic mechanisms.
“The Palestinian people are not participants in this process. They are merely observers,” he told TNA “We have not had presidential or legislative elections in nearly two decades. If there is real intent for reform, it must begin with the people, not behind closed doors.”
Ibrahim emphasised that while al-Sheikh may be internationally palatable, he remains disconnected from public sentiment.
“His rise is not a result of grassroots support, but elite consensus and external coordination,” he said.
Instead, Ibrahim called for “comprehensive institutional reform, including the organisation of elections, judicial independence, and revitalisation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).”
Regional and international pressures
Al-Sheikh’s appointment does not come in a vacuum. Over recent months, regional and international actors have intensified calls for political restructuring, particularly as discussions begin to shape post-war arrangements in Gaza.
The United Nations, through its special envoy to the Middle East, has repeatedly urged the PA to restore its legitimacy through democratic means.
Similarly, Arab powers including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have pressed for unified Palestinian governance capable of overseeing reconstruction in the war-ravaged enclave.
“The regional mood is shifting,” Ismat Mansour, a Ramallah-based political analyst, remarked. “There’s a growing consensus that a reformed Palestinian leadership must emerge; one that can engage with reconstruction efforts, manage security concerns, and re-establish legitimacy.”
Western powers have also weighed in. A recent Axios report revealed that U.S. officials see al-Sheikh as a reliable partner in ongoing coordination and diplomacy. The Israeli Institute for National Security Studies described him as a “pragmatic actor” with broad acceptance among international stakeholders.
Yet, according to Mansour, such endorsements may undermine his image among Palestinians. “When a figure is promoted primarily because he is acceptable to Israel and the U.S., it creates mistrust internally. Reform cannot be externally dictated but it must come from within,” he said.
Unsurprisingly, Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and remains a powerful political force despite the war, condemned the appointment in harsh terms.
“This decision reflects the ongoing disregard for national consensus,” Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, told TNA. “It is an attempt to preserve a failing status quo and avoid democratic accountability.”
Abu Zuhri warned that unilateral decisions deepen internal division and undermine efforts at national reconciliation. “True reform must be built on partnership, not appointments made without public consent,” he said.
Hamas has long called for restructuring the Palestinian political system through elections and rebuilding the PLO to include all factions. This demand has gained new urgency amid the devastation in Gaza and rising tensions in the West Bank.
A longtime Abbas ally and coordinator with Israel
Al-Sheikh, 63, heads the General Authority of Civil Affairs, the body responsible for coordinating administrative and security matters between the PA and Israel. Over the past two decades, he has gained prominence for his role in managing sensitive files and maintaining communication channels with Israeli and international counterparts.
He is also a member of Fatah’s Central Committee and a close advisor to President Abbas. His proximity to the presidency and negotiation involvement have made him a key player in internal and external diplomatic processes.
A former senior PA official who spoke to The New Arab on condition of anonymity described al-Sheikh as “a pivotal actor in the current structure, with the trust of regional and international stakeholders.”
He said that he [al-Shiekh] has already begun preliminary consultations with Arab states regarding Gaza’s reconstruction and the future role of the PA there. “He is positioning himself as the face of the next phase,” the former official added.
Despite his growing profile, several Palestinian analysts warned that the move risks being perceived as symbolic unless followed by deeper political reforms.
Ahmad Rafiq Awad, a political science professor at Al-Quds University, described the appointment as “an internal signal for transition” but emphasised that it lacks transformative potential without institutional renewal.
“Without elections, reconciliation with Hamas, and reform of the PA’s governance structures, this appointment is unlikely to inspire confidence,” he told TNA.
“Some Arab states are pushing for this to prevent a power vacuum after Abbas. But a stable political transition requires legitimacy, not just choreography,” he added.
Abdul Majeed Sweilem, a political analyst from Ramallah, agreed. He pointed to fears among Arab capitals that chaos in Palestinian leadership could hinder regional efforts to stabilise Gaza and revive diplomacy with Israel.
“This is why we are seeing pressure to restructure, even incrementally,” he remarked.
What do ordinary Palestinians think?
Among ordinary Palestinians, reactions to Hussein al-Sheikh’s appointment have ranged from weary resignation to a flicker of cautious hope, underscoring the complex and often contradictory sentiments harboured by a public long disillusioned with political stagnation.
In central Ramallah, government employee Rasha Odeh said she was not surprised by the decision. “It was expected. Abbas has been grooming al-Sheikh for some time,” she told TNA, referring to al-Sheikh’s long-standing role as a close confidant and key negotiator.
But she sighed, “The real question is whether this will benefit people. We have been living under the same faces for years, and nothing has really improved our salaries, freedoms, or prospects.”
“We have endured internal corruption and Israeli violations, so I hope his appointment will change our Palestinian lives and our conflict with the Israeli occupation,” she said.
In Gaza City, Nour al-Jamal, a university student, voiced deep scepticism. “We have seen many appointments and promises over the years, but without elections and real unity between Gaza and the West Bank, it won’t make a difference for us,” she told TNA.
“We are still under the endless Israeli wars and still watching our futures crumble while politicians negotiate overpower-sharing. It feels like theatre,” she complained.
In Hebron, Fadi Amro, a civil society activist, warned of a growing disconnect between the leadership and the Palestinian street.
“People feel excluded, marginalised, and increasingly alienated from decisions that shape their lives,” he told TNA. “There’s a sense that the leadership is speaking a different language — one of bureaucracy and survival — while the people speak the language of dignity, representation, and justice. You can’t fix that with symbolic appointments.”
A poll by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research found that a majority of Palestinians believe the PA lacks legitimacy and supports holding new elections.
However, many remain doubtful about the leadership’s willingness to implement genuine change. “We are trapped between hope and cynicism,” said Nour. “It’s hard to believe in reform when every move seems designed to maintain the status quo.”
The timing of the appointment—amid Israel’s devastating campaign in Gaza, the displacement of over 1.9 million Palestinians, and the death toll surpassing 52,000—adds urgency to the question of whether Palestinian leadership can evolve to meet the moment.
Talal Okal, a Palestinian political analyst from Gaza, believes that al-Sheikh’s rise may be part of a managed transition to ensure continuity without disruption. However, whether it marks a break from stagnation or recycling old power structures remains to be seen.
“The people are not demanding a name; they are demanding a system that works,” Okal said. “Without that, this appointment is a footnote, not a turning point.”
