Fatah elections strengthen Abbas

The results of Fatah’s Central Committee elections, which were announced yesterday evening, reflect the hidden efforts to strengthen Palestinian Authority (PA) and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas against his rival Mohamed Dahlan, Arabs48.com reported.

According to the results, new and old Fatah leaders, close to Abbas, from the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip became members of Fatah’s Central Committee.

Former Central Committee members, who had been known to be close to Dahlan, failed to win the renewal of their membership. New faces, also known for their close relationship with Dahlan, failed to win seats in the Central Committee.

Dahlan did not run for the Fatah presidency leading to an easy victory for Abbas, who had no competitor.

Jebril Al-Rajoub, one of Abbas’ supporters, won the highest number of votes at the Central Committee. Monitors say this victory reinforces his opportunity to win the position of Abbas’ deputy.

Female Fatah member Dalal Salameh from the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, who had been absent from the political arena for ten years before the conference, became a Central Committee member. She is close to Abbas and against Dahlan’s policies.

Tawfiq Al-Tirawi, also from Balata and who supports Abbas’ stance against the armed Palestinians who were involved in clashes with the PA security services in the refugee camp, became a Central Committee member. The armed Palestinians are known for their support for Dahlan.