Will Abbas’ son inherit role as Palestinian Authority head?

Mahmoud Abbas is facing backlash over signs he is preparing his son to succeed him.

By World Israel News Staff

Longtime Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is apparently preparing his son to take over his role, angering many under his authority who view the nepotistic move as yet another example of the PA’s longstanding corruption.

Abbas, 90, has led the Fatah party, which rules the Palestinian Authority, for two decades. According to polls, he is wildly unpopular among his constituents and has refused to hold elections, likely due to the probability that he would be voted out of office.

Recent meetings between senior PA officials and Abbas’ son, Yasser, along with announcements naming him a “special presidential envoy,” suggest that the nonagenarian leader is positioning his son to eventually take the reins.

Yasser Abbas, 64, has spent much of his adult life living in Canada and has reportedly amassed a fortune through various business ventures there. However, critics have long alleged that his wealth has been bolstered by the illicit funneling of Palestinian Authority funds intended for the public.

Analysts say the apparent effort to position the younger Abbas as his father’s heir is being poorly received by many Palestinians, who are already disillusioned by years without elections and accusations of corruption within the PA leadership.

“This does not resolve the frustration of the Palestinian people, as no democratic elections have taken place since 2006,” political analyst Reham Owda told Reuters.

“Rather, it increases frustration, since the public is looking forward to democratic elections, legislative and presidential elections.”

A prominent Fatah official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, suggested that promoting Yasser Abbas was so damaging that it amounted to deliberate sabotage of the party.

“Abbas is trying to make holes in the Fatah ship before [his death] by installing his son as heir to the crown,” the official claimed, stressing that the move “should be confronted and rejected by all Fatah men.”