Palestinian president’s health scares spark succession talk
A number of top officials in Abbas’ Fatah movement head the list of potential successors
Aseries of recent health scares have raised new concerns about octogenarian President Mahmoud Abbas, reviving anxiety about a potentially chaotic, and even bloody, succession battle that is bound to further weaken the Palestinian cause.
In the latest sign of Abbas’ health troubles, officials and medical sources say a cardiologist has moved into the presidential compound in Ramallah to monitor the longtime leader.
The move follows a mysterious hospital visit in the United States after Abbas appeared weak in an address to the United Nations Security Council.
Abbas, a heavy smoker with long-standing heart problems who turns 83 next week, insists he is fine.
But after more than a decade of avoiding discussion of the post-Abbas era, Palestinian officials acknowledge that they are concerned, and potential successors are quietly jockeying for position. The topic of succession has been taboo in Palestinian official circles since Abbas took office 14 years ago.
Abbas took over as a caretaker leader following the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 2004, and was elected for what was supposed to be a five-year term the following year. He has remained in firm control since then, refusing to designate a successor while a political split with rival Hamas prevented new elections.
Abbas has a long history of health issues, ranging from his heart troubles to a bout with prostate cancer a decade ago.
Last summer, he underwent a health check-up at a Ramallah hospital and separately, dispelled rumours he had suffered a stroke. Two years ago, he underwent an emergency heart procedure after suffering exhaustion and chest pains.
He suffers from arterial plaque and has had stents implanted.
Concerns deepened after Abbas’ February 20 appearance before the UN Security Council, where he appeared to struggle for breath at times.
After the speech, he travelled to Baltimore for a series of tests at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Feeling fatigued, Abbas then decided to return to the West Bank rather than continue on to Venezuela, as initially planned. It was rare for Abbas to cancel a planned trip. Abbas said after his return that the medical tests conducted in the US yielded “positive and reassuring” results, but did not elaborate.
A Palestinian official and two medical sources said a heart specialist is now present at the presidential compound whenever Abbas is there. Abbas’ regular physician visits the compound every day as well.
Aides said Abbas complains of strong stomach pain and has told his staff this is a result of stress and anger. They said rumours that he is suffering from cancer are not true.
An opinion poll released this week found that 68 per cent of the Palestinian public wants Abbas to resign, and just 33 per cent of those surveyed said they were satisfied with his performance. The poll, conducted by the respected Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research, surveyed 1,200 people and had a margin of error of three per centage points.
A number of top officials in Abbas’ Fatah movement head the list of potential successors.
Jibril Rajoub, a former security chief, and Mahmoud Aloul, a veteran Fatah leader, are both members of the party’s decisionmaking Central Committee.
Abbas’ security chief, Majed Farraj, is another strong contender, with good behind-thescenes working relations with both Israel and the US.