Despite his extreme age (86) and poor health, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen, has so far refrained from appointing a deputy to take his place when the day comes - but below the surface, and away from the media, passionate succession struggles are taking place.
The Fatah leadership does not dare to speak publicly on the sensitive issue. Any word of mouth may cost them dearly. As long as the chief is present, the battles remain indoors. On the lines.
Avoid appointing a deputy.
Abu Mazen, Photo: API
The Palestinian system is ready, but not necessarily for the day when Abu Mazen will be forced into exile.
Although he did not set up an orderly mechanism of transfer of power, which further sharpens the competition between possible heirs, in his recent moves he has ostensibly marked the path to which he would like to march the Palestinian leadership.
With his two associates, Hussein a-Sheikh - officially appointed No. 2 in the PA - and Majed Faraj, Abu Mazen formed the "Triple Alliance", and in front of it - the rest. 'Brill Rajoub.
However, the connections and trusts are not stable, and the results may be even more surprising.
Marwan Barghouti: The Eternal Candidate, imprisoned in Israel
The eternal candidate for the position, a member of the central committee of Fatah. He has been serving a prison sentence in Israel since 2004, after being sentenced to five life sentences for his involvement in terrorism during the second intifada.
Fatah official Marwan Barghouti, Photo: IP
Being a prisoner gives him popularity on the Palestinian street, and as a result, Abu Mazen and his men try to suppress any manifestation of support for him.
At the top of Fatah, Barghouti is considered a threat and prefers to remain imprisoned.
Hussein al-Sheikh: PLO secretary general, the chairman's favorite
He is one of the relatively young guards of the Palestinian leadership, and recently his status was significantly upgraded with Abu Mazen's decision to appoint him secretary general of the PLO Executive Committee.
What has largely given him the special status he enjoys today is the fact that he has received the "Israeli case" in recent years, by virtue of his position as Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs in the PA.
He previously served 11 years in an Israeli prison.
Politically, al-Sheikh and Abu Mazen share the same approach.
He, too, prefers dialogue over armed conflict and supports coordination with Israel.
He gradually acquired the trust of Abu Mazen, and accompanies him in all his meetings.
He also managed to please the United States and Israel.
Muhammad Dahlan: An opponent of the Rais and close to the President of Egypt
Found in deep rivalry with Abu Mazen.
He was ousted from Fatah in 2011 and has been living in the United Arab Emirates ever since.
Fatah official Muhammad Dahlan, Photo: Reuters
Many identify it as an "economic empire."
Dahlan tried to establish force bases in the refugee camps in the territories, but Abu Mazen worked to eliminate it.
He is now considered one of the critics of the PA and its head.
Muhammad Eshtiya: Palestinian Prime Minister, controversial
The incumbent Palestinian prime minister, a senior Fatah official.
Appointed to the post by Abu Mazen, and previously served in several ministerial positions.
He gained knowledge and experience in the economic field, and during the Corona period he stood out as a "rising star", but his fund has declined since then.
Today his figure is publicly controversial due to the functioning of the government under his leadership and the economic situation in the PA.
Eshtiya is known for his harsh statements against Israel, and does not usually attend meetings with Israeli officials.
Majed Faraj: Palestinian intelligence chief, pragmatist
The head of the Palestinian General Intelligence.
He is highly regarded in circles in Israel and maintains close ties with the CIA.
He is considered a strong and dominant figure, but rarely expresses himself in the media.
Top right: Jabril Rajoub, Hussein a-Sheikh, Barghouti.
Bottom right: Faraj, Eshtiya, Dahlan, El-Alul // Photo: Reuters, EP,
He spent most of his career in security positions in the Palestinian Authority.
He spent time in prison in Israel for his activities in Fatah. His father was killed by IDF fire in Bethlehem during the second intifada.
Like Sheikh, he also supports a bitter war against Hamas, and reveals a pragmatic line toward Israel.
Mahmoud El-Alul: Abu Mazen's deputy in Fatah, militant
Serves as Abu Mazen's deputy in the Fatah movement, and was previously the governor of Nablus. In the 1970s and 1980s, he took part in the fighting against the IDF in Lebanon, and he holds a record of military resistance.
El-Elul is perceived as a field man, which adds points to him on the Palestinian street, but he lacks political experience.
He represents the militant line within Fatah against Israel, and leads the popular resistance against it. His son, Jihad, was killed during the second intifada.
Jabril Rajoub: Fatah Secretary General, Field Man
Secretary General of the Fatah Central Committee.
He currently serves as head of the Palestinian Football Association, a position he is taking advantage of to establish his status.
Rajoub spent 17 years in an Israeli prison, grew up in the field and served as the head of preventive security in the West Bank.
He is not currently among the first circle of Abu Mazen's secret agents.
Jabril Rajoub, Photo: AFP
He is known for his blunt style towards his opponents, and enjoys support among Fatah field activists.
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