The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) held its 8th General Conference on May 14, after years of postponement. Although a periodic internal gathering, the conference took place during one of the most volatile periods in Palestinian history. About 2,580 members participated across four locations—Ramallah, Gaza, Cairo, and Beirut—to overcome the movement’s geographical fragmentation.
Under its internal bylaws, the conference is the highest decision-making body, meeting every four years to elect an 18-member Central Committee and an 80-member Revolutionary Council. The 7th Congress was held in 2016; the 8th was due in 2021 but was delayed until now.
Controversy Over 'Fixed' Results
Analysts and critics allege that the leadership hand-picked the delegate list to ensure predetermined outcomes. With over 2,500 members—mostly senior officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA) and security forces—the process is seen as prioritizing loyalty over democratic debate. Ahmed Rafiq Awad, Chairman of the Al-Quds Center for Political Studies, said: 'The goal appears to be to control the outcome to avoid leaps into the unknown and to usher in a new phase without provocative voices.'
The Succession Question of President Mahmoud Abbas
Though not on the official agenda, the question of who will succeed 90-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas was central. Analysts believe the congress aims to weaken democratic mechanisms and install loyalists in key positions to manage the transition. However, Nabil Amr, a former Fatah leader and former minister, warned: 'The era when Fatah decides who the candidate is and that person automatically becomes president is over. The movement’s credibility among the public has declined, and any future leader must emerge from a national election, not just from an internal meeting.'
Impact of the Gaza War
The congress took place as the Gaza Strip came under attack during Israel's devastating war and the West Bank faces systematic annexation. International pressure for a 'revitalized' PA to manage the 'day after' in Gaza is mounting. Awad said: 'The new leadership will face an extremely difficult political situation. Gaza is under siege, the PA's financial resources are depleted, and the two-state solution is being dismantled on the ground.'
From Liberation Movement to Administrative Apparatus?
A central theme of criticism is that Fatah has been 'swallowed' by the Palestinian Authority. Having managed a massive administrative system for 30 years, leadership criteria have shifted from revolutionary activism to 'functional loyalty.' Amr noted: 'Everyone attending the congress, without exception, receives a salary from the authority.' Awad added that candidates represent a 'bureaucratic mindset' rather than the field spirit of the founders.
Future for the Younger Generation
The gap between the aging leadership and the grassroots is widening. Reformists argue that the movement’s survival depends on returning to the people. Amr concluded: 'Instead of exhausting themselves in internal struggles over positions, Fatah must turn to the ballot box. The true measure of power is winning the trust of the Palestinian people in a general election, not occupying seats in a closed council.'
