Mahmoud Abbas Names Hussein Al-Sheikh As PLO Vice President, Signalling Succession Plan

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed his confidant, Hussein al-Sheikh as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), positioning him as a likely successor.

President Mahmoud Abbas & Hussein Al-Sheikh, who was named the successor Vice President (L-R)

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday named a veteran aide and confidant, Hussein al-Sheikh, as his new vice president. This is a major step by the leader to name a successor. Hussein al-Sheikh appointment as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) doesn’t guarantee his position as the next Palestinian president. It does make him the front-runner among longtime politicians in the dominant Fatah party who want to succeed the 89-year-old Abbas.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the move is unlikely to improve Fatah's image among many Palestinians, who view the movement as closed, corrupt, and disconnected from the broader public.

President Abbas plays a major role in postwar Gaza. Abbas has been under pressure from both Western and Arab allies to reform the Palestinian Authority, which holds limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In response, he has unveiled a series of reforms in recent months, including Fatah’s recent approval of a new position, PLO vice president, just last week.

The PLO is the internationally recognised representative of the Palestinian people and oversees the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Abbas has led both entities for two decades, as per the report.

Who is Hussein al-Sheikh?

Al-Sheikh, 64, is a seasoned politician who has held numerous senior roles over the decades, most recently serving as secretary-general of the PLO’s executive committee for the past three years. A former member of the Palestinian security forces, he also spent 11 years in Israeli prisons during his youth—experiences that may lend him credibility both within the security establishment and among the broader Palestinian public. Now he is in a stronger position to shore up his power.

Al-Sheikh is Abbas’ closest aide and, crucially, maintains strong working relationships with both Israel and key Arab allies, including influential Gulf states. As Abbas’ main liaison with Israel, he oversees the issuance of highly sought-after travel permits for Palestinians, including VIP officials—a role that grants him significant leverage over his political rivals, reported AP.

Polls, however, indicate that al-Sheikh, like much of Fatah’s leadership, remains unpopular among the general public. This week’s closed-door decision by the PLO’s ageing leadership is likely to further cement its image as outdated and disconnected from ordinary Palestinians.