The resignation of Hanan Ashrawi from the PLO’s Executive Committee appears to reflect the demise of a movement that has been hollowed out from the inside by the single rule of the 85-year-old Palestinian president who was elected in 2005 and whose leadership has not been publicly reconfirmed since.

Ashrawi articulated in her resignation letter and an accompanying cover letter that she held a Nov. 24 meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas, during which she verbally declared her intention to leave the post. Both agreed to make the issue public at the end of the year, she said, adding that a written letter of resignation was delivered two days later, on Nov. 26.

But as news of the resignation became known, Ashrawi felt frustrated with some of the leaks that claimed her decision was due to her age (she is 74), health (she contracted the coronavirus) and even a desire for some unknown position, all of which Ashrawi vehemently denied in her statement and on YouTube.

Upon a demand for an answer, Abbas asked Ashrawi to wait until the convening of the Palestine National Council (PNC), saying that it was the council that elected her and that her resignation should be submitted to this top Palestinian body. Ashrawi refused to wait and stated that her resignation is effective immediately. In her public statements, Ashrawi insisted that she respects internal PLO bylaws, but said, “I consider that the resignation has taken effect.” Ashrawi reaffirmed that she would continue to serve Palestine, in an informal or official capacity.