By Aryeh Savir/TPS • 11 July, 2019
The end of Palestinian Authority (PA) head Mahmoud Abbas’ reign may be sooner than many think, and especially if he misses an opportunity to renew the PA’s relations with the US, a source in Ramallah told TPS on Thursday.
The US-sponsored Peace to Prosperity economic workshop held in Bahrain last month and its aftermath left the PA in shock and in fear as its saw many Arab countries cooperate with the US and promote plans that appear to circumvent Abbas’ boycott on Washington, the source added.
Abbas’ office is in distress, also following the realization that several Arab countries are moving forward and normalizing their ties with Israel while the “Palestinian issue” has been pushed aside and as the US is pushing forward with its Deal of the Century peace plan for the Middle East.
Ramallah believes that while the summit in Bahrain was, in general, a failure, it has put the PA’s political system in a state of pressure and has boosted the activities of those who hope to succeed Abbas.
Several prominent PA leaders are looking towards the day Abbas steps down. Many fear the impossible inheritance Abbas is leaving behind, and are seeking to renew ties with the US and stabilize the PA’s economy.
Senior Fatah official Mahmoud Aloul ensures that he updated at all time while the PA’s Prime Minister Mohammad Ishtayeh is ensuring that he is not tied with any criticism of Abbas.
Tawfiq Tirawi is reportedly promoting civil protests for populist reasons, and PA intelligence head Majd Faraj is in effect running the affairs in Ramallah.
