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The LeadYasser Abbas, son of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has secured a seat on Fatah's highest leadership body, as initial results emerged from the movement's first Congress in the occupied West Bank in a decade.The Fatah Congress ResultsThe three-day Eighth General Conference in Ramallah, which began on Thursday and finished on Sunday, came as Fatah faces existential challenges following Israel's war on Gaza.Yasser Abbas, 64, a businessman who spends most of his time in Canada, joins the central committee after being appointed around five years ago as his father's "special representative".With several existing members retaining their seats, the Congress's outcome was already being criticised.Marwan Barghouti, a popular Palestinian leader held in Israeli prison since 2002, retained his seat on the committee with the highest number of votes, according to figures seen by the AFP news agency.Jibril Rajoub was re-elected as the committee's secretary-general, while Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh retained his position.Election Statistics and ProcessThe Congress had 2,507 voters and a turnout of 94.6 percent, organisers said.Fifty-nine candidates competed for 18 seats on the central committee, while 450 vied for 80 seats on the revolutionary council, the party's parliament.Counting for the revolutionary council is continuing.Political Context and Reform CallsMahmoud Abbas, who was re-elected as head of the movement on Thursday, vowed in his opening address to reform the Palestinian Authority (PA), and hold long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections.Abbas and the PA are under mounting international pressure to implement reforms and hold elections, amid widespread accusations of corruption and political stagnation, which have eroded their legitimacy among Palestinians.US President Donald Trump has demanded sweeping reforms as a condition for the PA to play any meaningful role in post-war Gaza.Fatah's Historical Position and Current ChallengesFatah was historically the dominant force within the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the sole representative of the Palestinian people in international forums. It groups most Palestinian factions, but excludes Hamas and Islamic Jihad.In recent decades, Fatah's popularity and influence have dwindled amid internal divisions and growing public frustration over the stagnation of the Israel-Palestine peace process.This led to a surge in support for rival Hamas, which won the 2006 legislative elections in the occupied West Bank, before expelling Fatah from Gaza almost entirely after factional fighting.Succession Dynamics and Future OutlookFatah's central committee is expected to play a decisive role in the post-Abbas era, with key figures, including Rajoub and Sheikh already jostling to succeed the 90-year-old leader.Yasser Abbas's election to the committee alone does not put him on a clear path to the presidency, said Ali Jarbawi, political science professor at Birzeit University."This may be seen as the beginning of a phase – if not of hereditary succession, then of securing a position in the future," he said.Jarbawi said the elder Abbas remained firmly in command, with the Congress failing to clarify who would lead the movement after him.

Abbas Announces Reform Agenda at Fatah’s Eighth General ConferencePresident Mahmoud Abbas used the opening session of Fatah’s three‑day, eighth general conference in the occupied West Bank to reaffirm his commitment to overhauling the Palestinian Authority (PA) and to holding the long‑postponed presidential and parliamentary elections, though no specific timetable was given.Conference Milestones: Leadership Re‑election and Committee RestructuringDuring Thursday’s plenary, Abbas was unanimously re‑elected as leader of the Fatah movement, securing his continued role as head of the party’s central committee. The congress will also elect 18 new members to the central committee and 80 representatives to the revolutionary council, the movement’s parliament.Numbers at a Glance: Delegates, Seats, and Timeline Gaps~2,580 Fatah members attending the conference1,600 delegates in Ramallah; 400 in Gaza and Cairo each; 200 in Beirut18 central‑committee seats up for election80 revolutionary‑council seats up for electionLast central‑committee election held 10 years agoPolitical Stakes: Domestic Pressure and International ExpectationsThe reform pledge comes amid mounting pressure from the United States, the European Union and Arab states, which have criticised the PA for corruption, stagnation and a declining legitimacy among Palestinians. Rival factions, notably Hamas, have gained ground as Fatah’s popularity wanes, and key figures such as Jibril Rajoub and PA Deputy Hussein al‑Sheikh are being positioned as potential successors.Looking Ahead: Scenarios for Palestinian Governance Post‑AbbasAnalysts see three possible trajectories: (1) a swift transition to new leadership with credible elections, restoring PA credibility; (2) a protracted internal power struggle within Fatah that could further erode public trust; or (3) continued external pressure forcing a negotiated reform package that reshapes the PA’s relationship with Israel and the broader international community. The outcomes will heavily influence the Palestinian national movement’s ability to present a unified front for statehood negotiations.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino attempted to choreograph a symbolic handshake between the Palestinian and Israeli football delegations at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, but the moment backfired, revealing the limits of his diplomatic ambitions just as he announced his intention to seek re‑election.The Botched Handshake at FIFA’s 76th CongressVenue: Vancouver, Canada, during the FIFA Congress on 30 April 2026.Key figures: Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Federation, and Basim Sheikh Suliman, Israel FA vice‑president.Outcome: Rajoub refused to stand beside Suliman, citing Israel’s “fascism and genocide,” prompting an awkward pause on stage.Infantino’s intent: To showcase FIFA’s “Peace Prize” ethos and pre‑empt his candidacy announcement.Financial and Governance Implications for FIFAStatute change: FIFA altered its rules so that only full terms count toward the three‑term limit, allowing Infantino to potentially serve 15 years.Election timeline: Re‑election will be held at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, in 2027, with Infantino expected to run unopposed.Political Tensions Undercut FIFA’s Peace InitiativeThe incident exposed how deep‑seated geopolitical conflicts can derail sport‑based diplomacy. Critics noted that Infantino’s previous “FIFA Peace Prize” awarded to Donald Trump and his staging of the handshake appeared more theatrical than substantive, raising questions about the organization’s role in conflict mediation.Repercussions for Infantino’s Re‑election BidWhile the handshake debacle may tarnish Infantino’s image as an international statesman, the lack of viable challengers suggests his re‑election is still a foregone conclusion. However, the episode could fuel internal dissent and external scrutiny, potentially prompting governance reforms or heightened media pressure ahead of the 2027 vote.

The Standoff at the 76th FIFA CongressDuring Thursday’s 76th FIFA Congress, Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, refused to join Israel FA Vice‑President Basim Sheikh Suliman when both were called to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Rajoub’s refusal turned a routine protocol moment into a public showdown.Rajoub’s Refusal to Shake Hands with Vice‑President Basim Sheikh SulimanInfantino placed his hand on Rajoub’s arm and gestured for the two officials to come together, but Rajoub stayed put. Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi later told Reuters, “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering.” The exchange highlighted the broader grievance over Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements.Absence of Formal Sanctions: FIFA’s Legal StanceFIFA announced last month it would take no disciplinary action against the Israel Football Association (IFA) or settlement‑based clubs, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law.The Palestinian Football Association has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn FIFA’s decision.No monetary penalties or competition bans have been imposed to date.Implications for Football Governance and the Israeli‑Palestinian ConflictThe incident exposes a tension between FIFA’s apolitical charter and the reality that football federations are embedded in geopolitical disputes. Critics argue that forcing a handshake undermines the Palestinian FA’s diplomatic protest and could set a precedent for sidelining member‑association rights in politically sensitive contexts.What Lies Ahead for the PFA and FIFA’s Conflict‑Resolution MechanismsWith the CAS appeal pending, the PFA is likely to intensify its legal challenge, seeking a ruling that would bar settlement‑based clubs from Israeli leagues. Meanwhile, FIFA may face pressure to develop clearer guidelines for handling member‑association conflicts that intersect with international law, lest future congresses repeat this public confrontation.

Officials from the Palestine Football Association have been denied entry to Canada ahead of a crucial FIFA meeting in Vancouver. The Palestine Football Association had requested FIFA to intervene with Canadian immigration authorities on their behalf.The annual FIFA Congress is set to take place in Vancouver on April 30, serving as an unofficial kickoff to the World Cup, which begins on June 11 in Mexico City. The Palestinian officials had hoped to address the issue of Israeli football clubs playing competitive matches in what the PFA argues is occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.Following a submission by the PFA to Congress in 2024 on the issue, FIFA undertook to investigate claims of illegal matches in the occupied territories. However, the report published in March saw FIFA rule it would 'take no action' over the claims. The Palestine Football Association president, Jibril Rajoub, is understood to be one of the three individuals denied a Canadian visa, alongside the PFA's general secretary and head of legal affairs.The decision to deny the officials visas comes amid general concern over access to the World Cup, with travel bans already in place in the United States, affecting Haiti, Iran, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that there will be no adverse effects on travel for teams or supporters at the tournament.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has urged for the expulsion of the Israeli Football Association (IFA) from all international institutions after a recent FIFA report revealed multiple breaches of its anti-discrimination obligations.PFA chief Jibril Rajoub stated during a news conference in the occupied West Bank city of el-Bireh that the IFA's actions, including alleged racist behavior and criminal activities by some officials, justify a ban.The FIFA report fined the IFA 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) for the breaches, which Rajoub described as a significant but insufficient penalty.Rajoub cited several reasons for the proposed ban, including the IFA's 'racist nature', alleged criminal activity by some Israeli sports officials, and the inclusion of football clubs from Israeli West Bank settlements in the Israeli federation.The report highlighted the IFA's failure to address 'persistent and well-documented racist behaviour' by Beitar Jerusalem, which Rajoub described as an extreme example of racism, fascism, and discrimination prevalent in Israeli football.Rajoub also mentioned instances of players killed during the conflict in Gaza and the destruction of sports facilities, stating that 1,007 athletes and coaches were killed and 265 sports facilities damaged since the war started in October 2023.At least five football clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are members of the IFA, which is part of UEFA, European football's governing body.