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Palestinians, Israelis, International Parties Preoccupied with Choosing Vice President for Abbas | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looks on as Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al Khalid al Sabah and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki (not seen) sign an agreement and a memorandum of understanding, in the West Bank city of Ramallah September 14, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman


Palestinians, Israelis, International Parties Preoccupied with Choosing Vice President for Abbas

by | Oct 16, 2016 | Middle East |

Palestinians, Israelis, International Parties Preoccupied with Choosing Vice President for Abbas

Ramallah- Many Palestinians, Arabs, Israelis and Western parties seem preoccupied by the topic of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas choosing a vice president. However Abbas does not seem to have an equal interest as he has handed the matter to Palestinian leaders who failed to pick up a name and agree on it.

Leaders of Fatah Party have highlighted throughout the past years the importance of choosing a vice president to avoid any potential surprises or expected chaos. Yet, no serious steps have been taken to come up with such a position for morale dimensions, especially that Abbas enjoys a good health, and legal dimensions given that the constitution does not mention anything about this position (vice president).

A Fatah source told Asharq al-Awsat that the topic is not urgent because the president is now busy tackling the internal matters through holding the seventh conference of the party at the end of 2016.

“According to the outcome of the elections, several topics will be settled including that of the vice president position. Establishing this new position requires amendments to the constitution,” added Fatah source.

A member of Hamas warned of such a plan, as it would make a huge violation of the Palestinian constitution if it took place without a vote.

This legal conflict between Fatah and Hamas is only one of many others hurdling the organization of public elections.

Political analyst and writer Talal Awkal said that it is not only the decision of Palestinians. “The Palestinian case is the central and first case of Arabs. There is a humanitarian, Islamic and Arab depth attached the case.”