Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has designated a temporary successor to take over his duties in the event of his death or resignation, addressing concerns about a potential power vacuum upon his departure. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abbas announced that the chairman of the Palestinian National Council would serve as interim president for up to 90 days, during which time presidential elections should be conducted.
The current chairman of the Palestinians' highest decision-making body is Rawhi Fattouh, 75, who previously held the position briefly following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004. Abbas, 89, has been the Palestinian president since 2005 and has faced recurring health issues in recent years, leading to frequent speculation about his eventual successor.
Abbas does not have an official deputy, and a source informed Reuters earlier this month that Saudi Arabia had urged him to appoint one. Wednesday's announcement clarifies the succession process in the event of his death, but Fattouh was not named as his deputy, leaving the long-term successor unclear.
Israel's Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, a member of the inner security cabinet, recently told foreign reporters that the Israeli army would intervene in the West Bank if a member of the militant group Hamas attempted to become president. Abbas was elected to a four-year term in 2005, but no presidential elections have been held since, and he is now widely unpopular, with a September poll indicating that 89% of Palestinians in the West Bank want him to resign.
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