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Hussein al-Sheikh Named First Vice President of the PLO

The appointment positions the veteran politician as the leading contender to succeed Mahmoud Abbas, though his future presidency remains uncertain.

FILE - Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, gestures during an interview with The Associate Press at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)
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FILE - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a conference at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Feb. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
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Overview

  • The PLO Central Council approved the creation of a vice-presidential role on April 24, 2025, as part of institutional reforms to address leadership succession concerns.
  • Hussein al-Sheikh, a close aide to Abbas and current secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee, officially assumed the new position on April 26, 2025.
  • Al-Sheikh wields significant influence as the head of civilian affairs, managing travel permits and serving as the main Palestinian contact with Israeli authorities.
  • His international connections, including relationships with Gulf states and the U.S., bolster his role in potential postwar Gaza reconstruction efforts.
  • Despite his appointment, al-Sheikh’s path to the presidency is not guaranteed, as Abbas retains authority to dismiss him and the PLO Executive Committee will ultimately decide on a permanent successor.