President of the State of Palestine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the State of Palestine |
|
|---|---|
.svg)
Presidential standard
|
|
Coat of arms of Palestine
|
|
| Term length | 4 years
Renewable
|
| Formation | 2 April 1989 |
| First holder | Yasser Arafat |
| Salary | 120,000 USD annually |
.jpg)
The President of the State of Palestine is the main leader of Palestine. This person is like the head of the country.
Yasser Arafat was the first person to hold this title in 1989. This was a year after Palestine declared its independence. At first, it was more of a symbolic title. Arafat also led the Palestinian National Authority (PA) from 1994. He held both roles until he passed away in 2004.
After Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas took over both roles. In 2005, the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) asked Abbas to be the President of the State of Palestine. In 2008, the PCC officially confirmed him in this role. Since 2013, "President of the State of Palestine" has been the only official title for the Palestinian leader.
Contents
History of the Palestinian Presidency
How the Title Started
On November 15, 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) announced the creation of the State of Palestine (SoP). Yasser Arafat, who was the leader of the PLO, then took on the title "President of Palestine."
The United Nations recognized the PLO as the group representing the Palestinian people. The PLO created a Palestinian National Council and a government that operated from outside Palestine. These groups represented Palestinians all over the world.
The Palestinian Authority's Role
The Oslo Accords were agreements that created the Palestinian National Authority (PA). The PA was set up to govern Palestinians living in the Palestinian territories. It also created the Palestinian Legislative Council.
From 1994, Arafat also became the President of the Palestinian National Authority. This role was confirmed by elections in 1996. From then on, one person held both titles: President of the State of Palestine and President of the Palestinian Authority.
Changes After 2013
In 2012, the United Nations recognized the "State of Palestine" as a non-member observer state. This was an important step. However, it did not get rid of the President of the Palestinian Authority role. That role came from the Oslo Accords.
How the President is Chosen
The President of the State of Palestine is not chosen by direct public elections. Instead, the PLO Central Council selects the president.
In 1989, the PLO Central Council elected Arafat as the first President of the State of Palestine. At that time, Arafat himself led the PLO.
After Arafat passed away in November 2004, the position was empty for a short time. In May 2005, the PLO Central Council asked Abbas to act as President of the State of Palestine. This happened after Abbas was elected President of the Palestinian Authority.
On November 23, 2008, the PLO Central Council officially elected Abbas as President of the State of Palestine. The PLO groups that appointed Abbas in 2005 and 2008 were, and still are, led by Abbas himself.
Past Presidents of Palestine
Yasser Arafat's Time as President
On November 15, 1988, Yasser Arafat became the symbolic President of the State of Palestine. This was made official on April 2, 1989. In 1994, he also became the President of the Palestinian National Authority. This happened when the PA officially started on July 5.
Arafat remained President until he passed away on November 11, 2004.
List of Presidents (1989–Present)
| No. | Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
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, 155 days | Fatah | 2005 | ||
See Also
In Spanish: Presidente del Estado de Palestina para niños
- Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization
- Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority
- Prime Minister of the State of Palestine
- Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council
- Leaders of Palestinian institutions
