Abbas comes out of Fatah congress stronger than ever
The Fatah seventh congress concluded without any changes: Mahmoud Abbas strengthened his position within the movement, and the former leaders remained in their positions.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — With a standing ovation, Fatah’s seventh congress, which was held Nov. 29, re-elected President Mahmoud Abbas as head of the Fatah movement for another term of five years without conducting a ballot, as the conference had already been purged of most of his opponents.
The final results of the elections of the Central Committee, which is seen as Fatah’s executive branch and its top leadership body, maintained the membership of the most prominent names that are close to Abbas, namely Jibril Rajoub, Hussein Sheikh, Mohammed Madani, Mahmoud Aloul, Azzam al-Ahmed, Saeb Erekat and Jamal Muheisen.
Fresh blood was brought into the committee with new members also close to Abbas, namely Ismail Jabr, Sabri Saidam and Ahmed Hilles. Abbas appointed three members from the movement’s founders in honorary and permanent positions, including Abu Maher Ghoneim, Farouk Kaddoumi and Salim Zanoun.
Perhaps the most prominent outcome of Fatah’s seventh congress is that it has solidified Abbas’ hold on power without any rival in the presidency or in power. He was not only re-elected, but Fatah also adopted his political vision, which he put forward without any elaboration in his Nov. 30 speech. This vision is based on peace with Israel through negotiations, commitment to the agreements signed with Israel, making efforts on the international arena and promoting the popular resistance.
