Israeli sources have reported tension between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi after the closure of all doors for Dahlan to rejoin Fatah, Arabi21.com reported on Sunday. Abbas and his allies reinforced their authority at the Seventh Fatah Conference last week, occupying all key positions across the secular Palestinian movement and thus effectively blocking any opportunity for Dahlan’s return.
According to Israeli news website Walla — which is close to Israeli intelligence — Al-Sisi has agreed that Dahlan will organise activities with the aim of forming a Palestinian political entity to improve the former Fatah official’s standing among Palestinians, particularly in the refugee camps. It is claimed that the UAE, Jordan and, to some extent, Saudi Arabia support Al-Sisi’s effort to promote Dahlan.
The sources allege that Dahlan has been inciting Al-Sisi against Abbas by claiming that the Palestinian leader has joined Turkey, Qatar and Hamas in being “hostile” towards Egypt. In return, Al-Sisi is apparently studying how to cement Dahlan’s positon in Gaza, possibly by placing him in charge of the Rafah Crossing into the besieged territory as a condition for having it open permanently.