Abbas: I’ll Step Aside To Let Someone Else Pocket Aid Money

Abbas desires to let other ambitious, well-connected Palestinians line their pockets with funds intended for development of the Palestinian economy, governance, rule of law, and transparency.

Ramallah, September 2 – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told officials two days ago that he intends to quit politics entirely sometime soon in order to allow someone else to embezzle money from international donors and distribute it to cronies.

Abbas, 80, announced his intention to step down as President of the Palestinian Authority, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee, and Chairman of the Fatah faction within the PLO, to enable at least one other person to further enrich himself through graft and corruption at the expense of the Palestinian people. He stressed that history would judge him harshly if he held onto power until death instead of stepping aside so that younger, more energetic despots could have a chance at stifling dissent, collecting kickbacks, fomenting violence, stonewalling negotiations, and blaming Israel for all the resulting ills.

The Palestinian leader has threatened or announced intent to quit or step down before, usually in an attempt to pressure Israel with the prospect of having to assume more responsibilities and headaches in the territories now under Palestinian control. This time, however, Abbas appears more serious. Aides and potential successors are scrambling to handle both possibilities. Fatah official Nabil Sha’th, for example, recently declared no intention to vie for the PLO or PA leadership, then announced yesterday that he would be willing to succeed Abbas if the latter so desired. Other machinations have been occurring in less overt fashion, as would-be successors try to shore up their own positions while not appearing too eager for their erstwhile leader to leave. All, however, offered praise for Abbas’s stated desire to let other ambitious, well-connected Palestinians line their pockets with funds intended for development of the Palestinian economy, governance, rule of law, and transparency.

If Abbas does intend to make good on the announcement this time, then analysts wonder what will become of the $13 million presidential “Guest Palace” under construction in Ramallah. “Whether or not Abu Mazen steps out of politics in an official capacity, it will be hard for any successor to balance his own graft needs and the pressures of showing some respect for the Palestinians’ elder statesman,” said pollster and political commentator Khalil Shikaki, referring to Abbas by his popular nickname. “Will Sha’ath, [Muhammad] Dahlan, or [Jibril] Rajoub, to name a few, be able to restrain themselves and keep paying for Abbas’s new digs, or will the palace remain unfinished, a fitting metaphor for Abbas’s internationally-funded state-building campaign? Only time will tell.”

Neither Abbas nor his would-be successors have indicated they might hold an election to fill the position of Palestinian Authority president.