On January 9, 2009, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ (Abu Mazen) term in office will expire. Hamas plans to take advantage and declare a new president, announcing after the 9th, it will not recognize the authority of the Fatah leader.

This will undoubtedly increase tensions between Hamas-controlled Gaza and Fatah-controlled Yehuda and Shomron. Intelligence officials also fear anarchy and/or a major Hamas takeover in Fatah areas.

Hamas insists his term ends in January, but Fatah officials are of the opinion that presidential elections are not going to be held independent of parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for January 2010.

Israel is aware that if Fatah and Hamas do not arrive at an agreement by January 2009, Hamas plans to declare Sheikh Aziz Dawiq the new PA president. Dawiq is currently imprisoned in Israel. 

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)