Abbas Physical Ailments Grows Pressure on Succession Issue

The already tense situation surrounding Mahmoud Abbas’ grasp on the Palestinian Authority presidency is being exacerbated daily by stories about his failing health and now, photographs from the Palestinian leader’s hospital room. What appeared to be an attempt to show an otherwise healthy octogenarian Abbas sidelined by a minor lung infection is instead being used by others to reiterate Abbas’ age and infirmities that include prostate cancer and heart problems. President Abbas, who was elected to a four-year term in 2005 but has never been re-elected because of the ensuing bifurcation of the Palestinian territories into Fatah-run West Bank and Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, has not named a successor; nor has one emerged. Some fear that actually pushing for an election could very well backfire with the election of Hamas, so status quo is preferable to them. Also being debated behind the headlines is the best policy vis-à-vis the United States, which has angered the Palestinians by declaring Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel and by moving its embassy to Jerusalem.