Palestinians who support senior Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan, hold banners and national flags during a protest against President Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza City on December 22, 2016. NurPhoto SIPA USA/PA Images. All rights reserved.On the evening of 30 November 2016, with the crowd in a party mood and even the ageing members of Fatah’s Central Committee dancing the dabke, Palestinian President and Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas entered the Fatah party congress in Ramallah to deliver his long-awaited opening address.
Afterwards, even his most ardent critics had to admit that the roughly three-hour speech was delivered with youthful confidence and spirit. The message was clear: ignore the reports of ailing health, I am not going anywhere soon.
After the party announced in early October 2016 that it had decided to hold its seventh party congress after a delay of two years – the sixth congress was held in Bethlehem in 2009 – all eyes were on 81 year-old Abbas, who has led Fatah since 2004.
