Strong condemnation of Hussein's appointment as Vice President, as stated by Hamas.

 

The appointment of a new vice president by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has sparked a wide-ranging debate among Palestinian resistance movements and political organizations.

Mahmoud Abbas recently appointed senior Fatah leader Hussein al-Sheikh as deputy chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and vice president of the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian independence movement Hamas issued a statement on Sunday strongly condemning his appointment. It called it a “reflection of foreign pressure” and the Palestinian Authority’s “monopolistic attitude that ignores national unity.”

Hamas said, “Al-Sheikh’s appointment is not in the national interest of Palestine, but will deepen political divisions.”

The Palestinian liberation organization also said, “This is part of the fanaticism of some influential leaders of the PLO and the PA and the relentless efforts to practically close down Palestinian institutions.”

In the statement, Hamas called on all Palestinian groups to oppose the decision, saying that the PLO must be reorganized on a national and democratic basis without any foreign interference.

According to Hamas, “the Palestinian leadership should now be focused on stopping the Israeli aggression and genocide and resisting the occupation and settlements.”

Earlier, Palestinian President (Fatah) Mahmoud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as his deputy last Thursday. On Saturday, the PLO’s Executive Committee and Central Council approved his decision. As a result, Hussein al-Sheikh now holds the highest position in the Palestinian organization, just after Abbas.

However, the main resistance organizations, especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad (PIJ), strongly opposed the appointment. They had previously boycotted the PLO Central Council meeting.

Because they have long opposed Mahmoud Abbas's policy of compromise towards Israel. Source: IRNA