Palestinian Leader Abbas Marginalized in Post-War Gaza Struggle.

2 hours ago7 min read2 comments

As Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas marks his 90th birthday, his political stature resembles that of a monarch presiding over a shrinking fiefdom, a poignant testament to the protracted decay of Palestinian national aspirations. Still wielding authoritarian control over fragmented enclaves in the West Bank, Abbas finds himself strategically marooned, a leader increasingly bypassed by both his people and the powers that dictate their fate.His two-decade tenure, second in longevity only to Cameroon's 92-year-old Paul Biya, is defined not by democratic renewal but by its perpetual suspension, having failed to hold elections for nearly the entire period of his rule. This democratic deficit has precipitated a profound leadership vacuum, leaving the Palestinian populace adrift at a moment of existential reckoning.The ongoing struggle for influence in a post-war Gaza Strip has rendered his authority almost entirely ceremonial, a development keenly engineered by an Israeli government that has long viewed his Palestinian Authority as an unreliable partner, while simultaneously undermining its legitimacy. Domestically, his approval ratings have cratered, with Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza viewing his administration as corrupt, ineffectual, and detached from the grim realities of occupation and conflict.This internal dissent is not merely a matter of popularity but a fundamental crisis of political legitimacy, echoing historical patterns where revolutionary movements ossify into unaccountable bureaucracies. The current geopolitical maneuvering over Gaza's future is a stark illustration of his marginalization; key regional and international actors, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, are now engaging with a broader spectrum of Palestinian factions, effectively sidelining Ramallah.This diplomatic freeze-out weakens the very foundation of the two-state solution, a policy Abbas has doggedly championed despite its diminishing returns. Analysts draw parallels to other aging leaders who clung to power as their influence waned, creating power vacuums that often led to instability or the rise of more radical elements.Indeed, the erosion of the Palestinian Authority's credibility directly benefits factions like Hamas, which positions itself as a more resilient and confrontational alternative to Israeli domination. The consequences of this leadership impasse are dire, extending beyond high politics to the daily lives of millions.Without a unified, legitimate Palestinian leadership, the reconstruction of Gaza, the administration of its territories, and any credible return to negotiations remain distant mirages. The international community's stated goal of a revitalized Palestinian Authority governing a post-war Gaza appears increasingly fantastical without a fundamental political transformation. As with the waning days of many long-serving leaders, the question is no longer if Abbas will exit the stage, but whether the institutions he leaves behind will possess the strength and legitimacy to prevent a complete collapse of governance, or if his legacy will be the final fragmentation of the Palestinian national project itself.

#Mahmoud Abbas

#Palestinian Authority

#West Bank

#Gaza

#leadership crisis

#Israel

#featured

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