Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas marks his 90th birthday on March 26, 2025, continuing to wield power in the West Bank. His long tenure, which began after the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004, has been characterized by a lack of elections and increasing unpopularity. Abbas faces significant challenges, including a weakened position within Palestinian politics and a growing discontent among the populace regarding the ongoing conflict with Israel.
In recent years, Abbas has struggled to maintain authority, particularly after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. This division has left the Palestinian Authority (PA) managing only fragmented areas in the West Bank, while Israel’s tightening grip over the region has exacerbated the political crisis. Many Palestinians view Israel’s military actions in Gaza, particularly following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, as tantamount to genocide, further complicating Abbas’s leadership role.
Abbas’s administration has been criticized for its inability to facilitate a political process aimed at establishing a Palestinian state. A recent poll conducted by Khalil Shikaki from the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research revealed that 80% of respondents in the West Bank and Gaza want Abbas to resign. The same poll indicated that only one-third support the PA’s governance in Gaza. This sentiment reflects a deep-seated frustration with what many see as a lack of effective leadership at a time of existential crisis for the Palestinian people.
Challenges to Authority and Credibility
Abbas has been in office for two decades without holding elections, which has led to a perception of illegitimacy among his constituents. His governance has been further undermined by accusations of corruption within the PA. As tensions mount, critics argue that Abbas has not taken decisive action to address the needs of Palestinians or to challenge Israel’s policies. “His legitimacy was depleted long ago,” said Shikaki, highlighting the growing disconnect between Abbas and the Palestinian populace.
The PA’s collaboration with Israel on security issues has also drawn ire from many Palestinians, who view it as complicity in the occupation. Abbas continues to face pressure from Israel, particularly from the administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has intensified its campaign against the PA. This includes financial penalties tied to stipends for families of Palestinians imprisoned or killed by Israeli forces, leading to severe economic repercussions for the West Bank.
Despite Abbas’s calls for reforms, including legislative and presidential elections after the conflict in Gaza, skepticism remains rampant. Many Palestinians doubt that these initiatives will materialize. The PA’s reputation for inefficiency and lack of transparency has eroded trust, leaving a vacuum in leadership.
The Future of Palestinian Leadership
Abbas’s recent attempts at reform, such as the establishment of a Palestinian-French commission to draft a new constitution, have not significantly shifted public opinion. A majority of Palestinians believe that if elections were held, the likely winner would be Marwan Barghouti, a prominent figure within the Fatah party currently imprisoned by Israel since 2002.
Political analysts suggest that Abbas’s reluctance to empower alternative leadership stems from fears of losing control to younger, more dynamic factions within Palestinian society. This has stifled the potential for non-violent resistance and civil disobedience initiatives that could galvanize a new generation of leaders. “Politics has been removed as a way for young people to engage,” said Abdaljawad Omar, an assistant professor at Bir Zeit University.
As the international community contemplates the governance of Gaza post-conflict, Abbas’s future remains uncertain. The prospect of uniting the PA with Gaza could amplify demands for Palestinian statehood, a possibility that Israel has consistently sought to avoid. Ghassan Khatib, a former Palestinian planning minister, noted that the ongoing situation has pushed the PA to the brink of collapse, complicating any realistic path toward statehood.
With Abbas now 90, the question of who will lead the Palestinian people into the future looms large. As pressures mount from both within and outside Palestinian society, the need for a unified and effective leadership has never been more critical.
