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Mahmoud Abbas Turns 90: A Symbolic President in a Divided Palestine

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 6:23 GMT by Los Angeles Times

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Mahmoud Abbas at 90: A Fading Grip on Gaza’s Politics

In a landscape where power is divided between the West Bank and Gaza, Mahmoud Abbas—now 90 years old—has struggled to maintain a voice that feels anything but symbolic. The Los Angeles Times’ November 16, 2025 profile traces how Abbas’s health, the rise of Hamas, and the evolving geopolitical context have all conspired to reduce the former Arab League Secretary‑General to a peripheral figure in the region’s most pressing conflict.

A Brief Life in Politics

Abbas’s political journey began in the 1960s, when he helped found the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (PFLP). By the 1970s he had become a central figure in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), serving as its deputy secretary‑general. In 2004, after the death of Yasser Arafat, Abbas was elected president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and, in 2005, became the PLO’s chairman. He has held the PA presidency ever since, a fact that underscores the durability of his political brand but also highlights the limitations of his influence.

His tenure has been marred by an inability to fully unify the Palestinian factions. The 2006 Palestinian legislative elections gave Hamas a decisive victory in Gaza, while Abbas’s Fatah secured a narrow win in the West Bank. After a brutal intra‑Palestinian war in 2007, Hamas unilaterally took control of Gaza, effectively sidelining the PA from that territory. Abbas’s attempts at reconciliation—such as the 2017 Cairo accord—have yet to bring Gaza under a single governing authority.

The Role of the West Bank and Gaza

The Los Angeles Times piece underscores a key theme: Abbas’s formal power has largely become a paper exercise. In the West Bank, he remains the de‑facto head of state, but his ability to mobilize the populace or implement decisive policy is constrained by both Israeli security arrangements and internal opposition. In Gaza, his influence is even more tenuous. Hamas’s de‑facto authority there means that Abbas can only speak on matters that affect the broader Palestinian narrative—chiefly negotiations with Israel, international diplomacy, and humanitarian relief.

When the latest Gaza war erupted in early 2025, Abbas was called upon to rally international attention for Palestinian civilians. Yet his statements, delivered through a succession of briefings, were often seen as an echo of his past rhetoric: appeals for ceasefire, calls for the return of Palestinian refugees, and pleas for U.S. mediation. Critics argue that Abbas’s age and limited political capital mean he is merely a mouthpiece for a more active, albeit controversial, Hamas leadership that does not heed his advice.

Health and Political Feebleness

Abbas’s advancing age has become a defining element of his political persona. According to the article, the President’s health—characterized by occasional bouts of fatigue and mild cognitive decline—has impacted his public appearances. The Times notes that while Abbas still attends key international events, his speeches are increasingly brief and rehearsed, signaling a shift from the charismatic statesman of the 1990s to a more subdued figure.

The “politically feeble” descriptor is not simply a reference to physical condition; it also encapsulates Abbas’s loss of leverage in the regional power structure. The article points out that both Israeli negotiators and U.S. officials increasingly treat Abbas as a conduit rather than a partner. In practice, this means that critical decisions, whether about the status of Jerusalem, settlement expansions, or the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, are being made by other actors with less regard for Abbas’s input.

International Context

The article weaves Abbas’s personal narrative into a broader international context. With the U.S. withdrawing its support for the PA’s governance structure, the European Union and other donors have shifted focus to the Palestinian civil society and humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, regional powers like Egypt and Qatar have taken a more hands‑on role in mediating between Hamas and the PA, often sidelining Abbas’s diplomatic initiatives.

Furthermore, the piece highlights how Abbas’s long‑standing advocacy for a two‑state solution has been undermined by the realpolitik of settlement expansion and the Israeli “security barrier.” This has further eroded his legitimacy among Palestinians who view his willingness to engage with Israeli hardliners as a betrayal of the broader nationalist cause.

Looking Ahead

The Times article concludes by questioning whether Abbas will remain the symbolic face of Palestinian leadership. It underscores that, even if he continues to hold the presidency, his influence will largely depend on the willingness of the international community to recognize him as a legitimate interlocutor, rather than simply a figurehead. The profile suggests that the most critical factor will be whether Abbas can successfully collaborate with a unified Palestinian front—something that would require a re‑alignment of Fatah, Hamas, and civil society actors.

In the meantime, as Abbas navigates his 90th year, his focus appears to be on preserving the dignity of the PA’s institutions and attempting to keep the Palestinian diplomatic mission alive on the world stage. The Los Angeles Times’ piece paints a nuanced picture: a seasoned politician, now more vulnerable than ever, fighting to keep his name relevant while the political weight of the Palestinian cause increasingly rests on younger, more dynamic actors within the movement.