Like all living beings on Earth, the days are numbered for Mahmoud Abbas, known in the Arab world as Abu Mazen. His semi-tyrannical grip on Palestinian politics and the Palestinian Authority since Yasser Arafat’s passing has been taken for granted by the Israeli government which sees him as a fair negotiating partner, in comparison to other, largely terrorist, leaders. However, according to many Palestinian and Israeli public opinions, his rule marked a period of great corruption in the PA-controlled territories. His advanced age and reported deteriorating health expose mixed feelings for all affected by him who on one hand are appalled by his corruption, but on the other fear what’s next; and for good reason. 

According to Palestinian reports, Hamas’s popularity in the West Bank is growing rapidly. Based on a poll conducted by “The Palestinian Center for Policy and Research”, most Palestinians who vote in PA elections, which are not many since the PA does not hold elections regularly, support armed resistance to Israel and settlers. This data, along with other IDF intel, has led most Israeli journalists to warn of a Hamas takeover after Abu Mazen’s death. For the average Israeli, hearing such a thing would be the American equivalent of being informed that your next-door neighbors are members of the Taliban. 

When Mahmoud Abbas, age 87, the head of the Palestinian National Authority formerly known as a terrorist group Fatah, passes from the scene, hard to imagine #Hamas not trying for a bloody takeover in the West Bank.

— Chuck DeVore (@ChuckDeVore) November 4, 2022

However, what many in Israel have forgotten are the other aspects of Palestinian politics outside of Israeli resistance. Although many Palestinian voters support Hamas’s militant and terrorizing resistance to “Israel’s occupation”, their interior policies and the disproportionate taxing system have many residents concerned. In other words, the Arab public in the Palestinian Authority has other priorities other than fighting Israel with guns and missiles, which is a positive development. What is not positive, however, is the other leader which comes to mind as an option to succeed 87-year-old Abu Mazen. 

Marwan Barghouti, a convicted murderer, and leader of both the first and second Intifadas is currently the most prominent figure who has the polling support to become President of the Palestinian Authority. Born in 1959 near Jordanian-controlled Ramallah, Barghouti is a member of the terrorist organization Fatah and a founding member of the youth Fatah movement, Shabibah. After admittedly terrorizing the Israeli public for decades and being responsible for the killing of dozens, Barghouti was sentenced to life in prison by an Israeli high court. 

His name has been trending since his “right-hand man”, Nasser Abu-Hamid, passed away in an Israeli hospital after a battle with Cancer earlier this week. Barghouti has expressed his desire to become the leader of the PA, and even attempted to do so from behind prison bars back in 2006, but the Fatah organization convinced him it was not wise and would lead to further division. According to Palestinian polling from 2012, Marwan would receive over 60% of the Palestinian vote of he ran for president. Ismail Haniya, the leader of Hamas currently living in Qatar, would receive somewhere around 45% of the vote according to the 2022 poll conducted by “The Palestinian Center for Policy and Research”.

Top story: Israel: Deceased Palestinian prisoner Abu Hamid was Marwan Barghouti’s aide – Middle East Monitor https://t.co/WuszQYHqlk, see more https://t.co/ram04UavcX

— Ramy Abdeljabbar 🐱🐶🇺🇸🇵🇸☪️ (@Ramdog1980) December 21, 2022

Essentially, with little to no campaigning Barghouti, who claims to have become disheartened by the peace process, could easily defeat Hamas in any future elections. His rule over both the PA and militant terrorist groups related to Fatah would turn the current Armed Palestinian guerrilla warfare against Israel to a full-scale hostile military chocking Israeli sovereignty. 

Although he is currently behind bars with no Israeli plans of releasing him, activists pushing for his release have been prominent since the early 2000s and have now gained new momentum with Abu-Hamid’s death. His refined public speaking skills and wrinkled face would confuse Any Western observer into thinking Barghouti is a decent option for the Post-Abu Mazen era, but with two violent uprisings and countless roles in attacks against Israeli civilians he is far from being a reasonable peace-seeking leader. 

Palestinians are looking for a leader who will not be tainted by corruption and will meet social expectations, cultural norms and religious obligations. Polls indicate that this leader is Marwan Barghouti | Opinionhttps://t.co/igcimbchbd

— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) December 21, 2022

Additionally, his sympathy and popularity as a historical figure amongst Palestinians would provide him the power to create a unified armed resistance. In a sense, Hamas is the lesser of two evils with Barghouti around since they don’t have the same unifying qualities he carries. Time will tell who will become the new leader of the Palestinian cause and PA, but as it stands all options are extremely concerning for Israeli civilians' security. Perhaps the best thing Israelis and their supporters could hope for, is that Abu Mazen lives until 120.