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Rami Hamdullah Appointed As Palestinian Prime Minister

Max Meyer |
June 2, 2013 | 1:13 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

 

President Abbas needed to find a new Prime Minister after Salam Fayyad's resignation in April. (Lawrence Jackson, Creative Commons)
President Abbas needed to find a new Prime Minister after Salam Fayyad's resignation in April. (Lawrence Jackson, Creative Commons)
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, has appointed Rami Hamdullah as their new prime minister and an official announcement is expected to be made on Sunday night. Hamdullah is an academic who will be replacing Salam Fayyad after Fayyad resigned from the position in April.

Hamdullah is a member of the Abbas-led Fatah Party, which is important after Fayyad reportedly clashed often with Abbas. Hamdallah has not had any experience in politics or government before he was selected as the prime minister. 

Hamdullah has been the dean of al-Najah University, located in the West Bank, for the last 15 years. He is also British-educated and an English professor, and is considered to be highly respected amongst the Palestinian community. 

MORE: Israel Should Stop Hindering Palestinian Economic Development

It will be interesting to see how the move affects international relations, as Fayyad had great support internationally including the United States. Fayyad served as prime minister for the past six years and helped fix Palestinian political corruption during his reign.

While Israel had no comment, Hamas, who Palestine has had a rift with ever since they gained power in the Gaza Strip five years ago, opposed the move. They did not approve Abbas choosing a new prime minister without consulting them.

"This Cabinet does not represent the Palestinian people," Hamas government spokesman Taher al-Nunu stated. "The status of the new Cabinet is illegal."

Reach Executive Producer Max Meyer by email.



 

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