President of Palestine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the State of Palestine |
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Presidential standard
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| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | Presidential Palace, Ramallah |
| Term length | Four years,
renewable indefinitely
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Palestine (2003) |
| Inaugural holder | Yasser Arafat |
| Formation | 2 April 1989 |
| Deputy | Vice President |
| Salary | US$120,000 annually |
The President of the State of Palestine is the main leader of Palestine. This person is like the chief representative for the country. The official title in Arabic is Arabic: رئيس دولة فلسطين.
Yasser Arafat was the first person to hold this title. He became President in 1989, after the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. At first, this role was mostly honorary. There was also another important role, the President of the Palestinian National Authority.
Yasser Arafat held both these jobs from 1994 until he passed away in November 2004. After him, Mahmoud Abbas took over. In January 2005, a group called the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) asked Mr. Abbas to be the President of the State of Palestine.
Later, in November 2008, the PCC confirmed that Mr. Abbas would continue in this role. Since 2013, "President of the State of Palestine" has been the main and only title for the Palestinian leader.
Contents
Understanding the President's Role
Early Days of the Presidency
On November 15, 1988, a group called the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) announced the creation of the State of Palestine. At this time, Yasser Arafat, who was the leader of the PLO, took on the title "President of Palestine."
The United Nations saw the PLO as the voice for the Palestinian people. The PLO also created a Palestinian National Council and a temporary government to represent Palestinians around the world.
The Palestinian National Authority
Later, in 1993, important agreements called the Oslo Accords were made. These agreements created the Palestinian National Authority (PA). The PA was set up to govern Palestinians living in the Palestinian territories.
From 1994, Yasser Arafat also became the President of the Palestinian National Authority. This role was confirmed by elections in 1996. So, one person held both titles: President of the State of Palestine and President of the Palestinian National Authority.
Changes After 2013
In 2012, the United Nations gave the "State of Palestine" a new status. It became a "non-member observer state." This was an important step. However, the role of President of the Palestinian National Authority continued because it was created by the Oslo Accords.
How the President is Chosen
The President of the State of Palestine is chosen in a different way than some other leaders. This position is not decided by a general public election. Instead, a group called the PLO Central Council makes the choice.
In 1989, the PLO Central Council chose Yasser Arafat to be the first President of the State of Palestine. At that time, Mr. Arafat was also the leader of the PLO.
After Mr. Arafat passed away in November 2004, the position was empty for a while. In May 2005, after Mahmoud Abbas was elected President of the Palestinian Authority, the PLO Central Council asked him to also serve as President of the State of Palestine.
Then, on November 23, 2008, the PLO Central Council officially elected Mr. Abbas as President of the State of Palestine. The groups within the PLO that made these decisions in 2005 and 2008 were, and still are, led by Mr. Abbas himself.
Leaders of Palestine (1989-Present)
Here is a list of the people who have served as President of the State of Palestine since 1989.
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term | Political party | Election | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Duration | ||||||
| 1 | Yasser Arafat (1929–2004) |
2 April 1989 | 11 November 2004 † | 15 years, 223 days | Fatah | 1996 | ||
| – | Rawhi Fattouh (born 1948) Acting |
11 November 2004 | 15 January 2005 | 65 days | Fatah | – | – | |
| 2 | Mahmoud Abbas (born 1935) |
15 January 2005 | Incumbent | 20 years, 230 days | Fatah | 2005 | ||
See also
In Spanish: Presidente del Estado de Palestina para niños
- Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (Learn about another important leadership role.)
- Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority (Discover more about the government leaders.)
- Prime Minister of the State of Palestine
- Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (Find out about the head of the legislative body.)
- Leaders of Palestinian institutions
