Daily Alert

Security Officials: Abbas’s Status in the Arab Arena Has Weakened Significantly

Israel is preparing for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to step down.
Share this
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. (Kremlin.ru/Wikimedia)

Table of Contents

  • Senior security officials state that the status of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the Arab arena has significantly weakened, and they estimate that he is nearing the end of his rule.
  • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently convened a small-scale summit to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip, yet Abbas was not invited.

Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has been making diplomatic efforts on the international stage and within the Arab world to gain legitimacy and support for his return to governing Gaza after the war.

However, opposition to his leadership is not limited to Israel, which rejects the PA’s rule due to its support for terrorism.

Arab leaders also recognize the changing reality and believe Abbas’s rule is ending.

On February 21, 2025, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) held a closed meeting with Arab leaders to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s migration plan for Gaza and preparations for the post-war period. However, Abbas was entirely excluded from the discussion.

According to senior Israeli security officials, this exclusion clearly indicates Abbas’s declining status in the Arab world and suggests that Arab leaders expect his imminent departure from the political stage.

Abbas’s absence from such a crucial summit—where critical deliberations took place regarding the future of the Palestinian people in Gaza—suggests that a gradual process of sidelining the PA from any potential governance in Gaza has begun, especially given Israel’s opposition to PA control and the support it receives from President Trump.

The PA is also widely perceived as corrupt in the Arab world.

Recently, Egypt and donor countries have refused to grant the PA direct control over funds designated for Gaza’s reconstruction due to concerns over “lack of transparency”—in other words, fears of embezzlement, given past instances of donor funds being misappropriated by the PA.

Security sources indicate that there are signs the Arab world is aligning with the previous U.S. administration’s stance under former President Joe Biden, which advocated for restructuring the Palestinian political system, revitalizing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and replacing the aging Abbas, who is now 89.

On February 15, Abbas attended the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

However, according to senior Fatah officials, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and other high-ranking African leaders completely ignored his presence—another sign that his political end is near.

There are also signs of tension within the PA leadership.

Hussein al-Sheikh, a close associate of Abbas and Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee, was dismissed as Minister of Civil Affairs and replaced by Ayman Kandil.

This internal discord is further fueled by Abbas’s intention to present a new “PA vision for addressing current challenges” at the upcoming Arab League Summit on March 4. At this summit, he will officially announce another delay in Palestinian presidential and parliamentary elections—postponing them by at least another year “due to circumstances.”

Senior PA officials have criticized Abbas, accusing him of stalling to remain in power while circumventing the Palestinian public’s growing demand for immediate elections to replace him.

Despite his advanced age, Abbas continues maneuvering politically to retain his position. However, security officials believe he is holding onto power solely thanks to a corrupt inner circle of senior Fatah officials who benefit from the privileges of his rule.

Nonetheless, his time is running out. According to their assessment, Abbas is on his way to an early retirement, and Israel is also preparing for his departure from the political scene.

Yoni Ben Menachem

Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.







Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close