Mahmoud Abbas grooming son, Yasser, for succession with growing string of senior public roles
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas sent his son, Yasser, to represent him at two university graduation ceremonies
Yasser Abbas also assumed control of Fatah's international relations portfolios, further strengthening his position within the movement's leadership
Yasser Abbas follows closely in his father's footsteps, glorifying terrorist murderers as heroes and role models for the next generation
As speculation continues over who will succeed 90-year-old Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, recent appointments and high-profile public appearances suggest that Mahmoud Abbas is increasingly positioning his son, Yasser Abbas, for a prominent leadership role within the PA.
In the span of just over a week, Yasser Abbas has been entrusted with one of PA-ruling-party Fatah's most important international portfolios, has represented Mahmoud Abbas at major official events, and has repeatedly used those appearances to glorify terrorist murderers responsible for killing 17 Israelis. Taken together, these developments point to an apparent effort to elevate his political profile and establish him as a leading figure in the movement.
On July 6, Yasser Abbas formally assumed responsibility for Fatah's International Relations Commission, taking over the portfolio from veteran Fatah leaders Abbas Zaki and Rawhi Fattouh. The handover placed him in charge of Fatah's relations with international actors and, notably, with China, a country the PA leadership has increasingly portrayed as a strategic global partner.
Headline: "Abbas Zaki and Rawhi Fattouh hand over responsibility for the International Relations Commission to Yasser Abbas"
"The responsibility for the Commission for Arab and China Relations and the Commission of International Relations was handed over today to Fatah Movement Central Committee member Yasser Abbas…
During the meeting, [former Commissioner for Arab and China relations] Abbas Zaki and [former Commissioner of International Relations] Rawhi Fattouh presented the main issues and roles that the Commission of International Relations handled in the previous term. The two also updated Yasser Abbas on the working methodologies and the relationships that the commissions created with various international entities in a way that strengthens Fatah's presence and status on the international stage."
[Ma'an, independent Palestinian news agency, July 6, 2026]
Just one week later, Yasser Abbas represented Mahmoud Abbas at the graduation ceremony of Palestine Technical University–Kadoorie, delivering the elder Abbas' greetings on behalf of the PA leadership. In his speech, he praised Tulkarem as "the district of Martyrs and prisoners" and singled out notorious terrorist murderers Raed Al-Karmi, responsible for the murder of nine Israelis, and Ziyad Da'as, responsible for the murder of eight more, as defining symbols of the district.
Posted text: "Sponsored by Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas—Abu Mazen, the [Fatah] Shabiba Student Movement and Student Union Council at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie held a graduation ceremony for the university class of 2026, under the name 'the Martyrs' and Prisoners' Class' (i.e., class name honors terrorists)…
The ceremony was attended by the president's representative [and son], Fatah Central Committee member Yasser Abbas…
Yasser Abbas conveyed the well-wishes of President Abu Mazen and the Fatah leadership and congratulated the graduating students…
[Yasser] Abbas noted that the people of Tulkarem magnificently reflect resolve in the face of the aggression of the occupation (i.e., Israel) and said:
'We bow before the resolve of our people… and before the sacrifice of the Martyrs and prisoners (i.e., terrorists)… We salute our people in the Tulkarem district, the district of Martyrs and prisoners, the district of [Raed] Al-Karmi and [Ziyad] Da'as… We emphasize that Tulkarem will remain the city of Martyrs and prisoners.'"
[Tulkarem Governorate, Facebook page, July 13, 2026]
Just two days after that, Yasser Abbas again took center stage at another Kadoorie graduation ceremony, this one named after the "Martyrs and Prisoners and the Path of the Free." Sharing the stage with the daughter of terrorist Raed Al-Karmi and the daughter of imprisoned terrorist Maslama Thabet, who was involved in the murder of two Israelis (along with Al-Karmi), Yasser Abbas declared that "the sacrifice of the Martyrs and prisoners will remain a beacon for generations."
Posted text: "Fatah Central Committee member and International Relations Commissioner Yasser Abbas conducted a field visit to the Tulkarem district… [and attended] the graduation ceremony of the 'Martyrs and Prisoners and the Path of the Free' class at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, where he delivered a speech alongside the daughter of Martyr Raed Al-Karmi and the daughter of prisoner Maslama Thabet. In his speech, [Yasser Abbas] emphasized that the sacrifice of the Martyrs and prisoners (i.e., terrorists) will remain a beacon for generations."
[Fatah Commission of Information and Culture, Facebook page, July 15, 2026]
Whether these moves amount to an organized succession plan remains to be seen. However, the concentration of senior responsibilities, official representation of Mahmoud Abbas, and sustained public exposure all point to a deliberate effort to establish Yasser Abbas as a central figure in PA leadership at a time when questions about Mahmoud Abbas' successor are becoming increasingly urgent. Significantly, as his public profile and political influence grow, Yasser Abbas is using these increasingly prominent platforms to glorify terrorist murderers responsible for the deaths of 17 Israelis, presenting them as figures whose "sacrifice" should inspire future generations.