Fatah, more unified, elects new leadership

In first conference in twenty years, Fatah elects younger leaders, but still faces uphill battle on numerous goals

Tiffany Ayuda


Mainstream Palestinian movement Fatah has elected a new leadership committee consisting of a much younger group of leaders, who are considered to be more realistic than the veterans, according to the New York Times.

Fatah held its conference for the first time in twenty years as the movement began facing internal divides. Despite this new leadership, little is expected to change in Fatah's policy, according to the Times, as Fatah has always supported the resistance of using force in order to fight for Palestinian independence.

But even as some members question this ideal, many are still tied to it, though Fatah hopes that this new leadership would help lift the organization's popularity and credibility. Increases in both would help play a part in Palestine's relationship with Israel and start reconciliation talks with its rival, Palestinian militant organization Hamas.

Of the newly elected leaders to the Fatah Central Committee, 14 of 18 had never served in office for the party before, but veteran leaders include senior negotiator Saeb Erekat and two other former Palestinian Authority security chiefs. Marwan Barghouti, a leader of Fatah's younger guard, won a seat in the new leadership, but he is currently serving five years in an Israeli prison for killing five people during an intifada in 2000.

According to the Times, the election was part of the week-long conference in Bethlehem, in which 2,300 delegates from around the world gathered for the first time in 20 years. The end of the conference reportedly left members feeling encouraged about party unity, which has been a concern to due to damage done by internal corruption and infighting.

Furthermore, Fatah has not been able to bounce back from its devastating losses against Hamas in 2006 and 2007, which is when Hamas took over Gaza. The latter event was especially discouraging for many Israelis. Fatah is now working to prepare for Palestine's upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections next year.

Our Take

Fatah's election of new leadership is an encouraging step toward a new Palestine. Fatah has got a lot of work ahead for itself, so we wish them all luck in conversing with, and converting, the citizens of Palestine.