Mahmoud Abbas

Mahmoud Abbas is the head of the Palestinian Authority, a position he undertook in January 2005. He is a member of the Fatah, and has been a chairman of the PLO since November 2004, succeeding Yasser Arafat. He was born in Safed, and fled with his family to Syria in 1948 when Israel's independence day war broke out. He studied law at the University of Damascus and obtained a PhD degree at the Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, where he wrote a dissertaion on the "secret relationship between zionism and nazism." Abbas is married to Amina Abbas and has three sons - two living, and one deceased.

Abbas praises October 7 massacre ahead of pro-Palestinian summit

“The attacks shook the foundations of the Israeli entity… revealed its glaring failure,” PA chairman Abbas said in an interview published last week and exposed by PMW.

 Palestinian Authority chair Mahmoud Abbas against backdrop of October 7 destruction and Palestinian flag. (illustration)
 Flags of Spain, Norway and Ireland seen as Mahmoud Abbas speaks at the United Nations.

European calls for Palestinian statehood isn't principled diplomacy, it's panic - opinion

 US President Donald Trump meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, DC.

Despite criticism, Trump's sidelining is still likely in Israel's interest - opinion

 Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes PA President Mahmoud Abbas to the Kremlin in Moscow during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, on May 10, 2025

Israel needs a miracle or a change of heart by Netanyahu - opinion


Could Mohammed Dahlan be Gaza's next governor? - opinion

Dahlan's name has been bandied about in recent years for a much more important role: a possible successor to Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas.

 Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas is flanked by then-security adviser Mohammed Dahlan (right) and then-prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, at a meeting in Gaza, in April 2007.

Abbas blames Hamas, 'categorically rejects' aid lootings in Gaza

This comes after the Palestinian Authority President called Hamas "sons of dogs" and called for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a leadership meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank, April 23, 2025

Qatar secured better terms for Hamas in Gaza hostage deal sabotage, sources say - report

Senior Israeli officials stated that Qatar’s assistance in ceasefire talks have been hindering the progress, adding that working solely through Egypt would be better.

 Hamas terrorists in front of Qatar flag and background (illustrative).

Abbas names Hussein al-Sheikh as deputy, likely succesor to PLO

Al-Sheikh said that the Palestinian Authority was carrying out reforms and forming a new government as the US and Arab countries requested, but it was not receiving enough support.

Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein Al-Sheikh speaks to The Media Line in his office in Ramallah.

PA’s Abbas claims ancient Jewish temples were in Yemen, not Jerusalem

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas claimed “[Israel] is trying to change the historical and legal status of the Islamic and Christian holy places, especially the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a leadership meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank, April 23, 2025

Palestinians establish vice presidency post, no candidate named yet

According to the statement, Abbas has the right to assign tasks to the deputy, relieve him of his post, or accept his resignation.

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas adjusts his glasses as he listens during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured), in the West Bank city of Ramallah, May 25, 2021.

Palestinian factions slam Abbas for criticizing Hamas, 'upholding Zionist narrative'

According to the factions, "Abbas's speech was consistent with the occupation's narrative and the Zionist narrative, as if he were a partner in protecting Israel's security."

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a leadership meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank, April 23, 2025

'Sons of dogs, release the hostages,' Mahmoud Abbas tells Hamas

He also stressed that "Hamas must end its control of the Gaza Strip and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority." 

 Mahmoud Abbas, PA President in front of a map of Gaza (illustrative).

PA President Abbas, French President Macron discuss Israel-Hamas ceasefire, reject Gaza plan

The two discussed the possibility of the Palestinian Authority assuming “full responsibility” in Gaza, including security duties.

 French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France July 20, 2022

Palestinian Authority antisemitism resembles Nazi ideology - opinion

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas explained that Palestinians see the Jews just as the Europeans and Hitler saw the Jews.

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures, as he attends a swearing-in ceremony for the newly formed cabinet, in Ramallah, in the West Bank, March 31, 2024.

PA official secretly meets Lebanese Armed Forces head to discuss Palestinians in Lebanon - report

Majed Faraj’s visit was reportedly a preparatory visit to Abbas’s visit, which is expected to occur next week.

 (R-L) Senior Fatah leader Azzam Al-Ahmed, Head of Palestinian Intelligence Majed Faraj, Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein Al-Sheikh, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Senior Fatah official Mahmoud Al-Aloul, Ramallah, August 18, 2018.