Rajoub: Conflict among senior Fatah leaders to destroy movement

Fatah Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub has asserted that the conflict among senior Fatah leaders could easily destroy the secular Palestinian movement, Safa News Agency reported on Sunday.

Safa reported that Rajoub had been targeted by Palestinian Authority (PA) and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas and his close aides since the postponement of the Palestinian elections.

Reporting sources, Safa reported Rajoub informing Abbas: “I am not this or that in order to deal with me this way,” referring to a hidden warning to him from Abbas.

The war between the two axes of Fatah was highly evident within the delegation accompanying Abbas during his visit to Turkey. Abbas chose PA Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj and Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein Al-Sheikh to accompany him.

Observers viewed this measure as a “big blow” for Rajoub, who has been one of the strongest Fatah leaders.

Rajoub hailed the Palestinian resistance during the Israeli offensive on Gaza and announced his support for Jerusalemites enduring fierce Israeli aggression in Silwan and other neighbourhoods in the Holy City. He also maintains good and continuous relations with Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh Al-Arouri.

Following the murder of Nizar Banat, Abbas threatened Fatah officials who did not defend the PA against the popular campaign. As a result, Rajoub, who preferred to remain silent, was obliged to express his sadness over Banat’s murder, stressing: “We will protect the PA’s security services.”

Abbas does not want Rajoub as a close aide, preferring Faraj, who is the PA’s contact channel with the US, and Al-Sheikh, who is the PA’s channel with Israel.

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