Palestinian heavyweights bind over a vote from a distance

One is a royal adviser living in the wealthy United Arab Emirates who has just sent large quantities of COVID vaccines to the poor Gaza Strip.

The other is a veteran of the Second Intifada, who has been living in an Israeli prison cell for nearly two decades.

The role of the two political depression – Mohammed Dahlan based in the UAE, and Marwan Barghouti in prison – is seen as crucial ahead of the constitutional votes of May 22 and July 31.

Dahlan, 59, who hails from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, served as Palestinian Authority security chief in a coastal orbit before the Islamic movement Hamas won an election in 2006 and took control the following year.

His close relationship with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, now 85, broke down after the loss of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Gaza, and the two became bitter enemies.

After being convicted of corruption in a Palestinian court ten years ago, Dahlan moved to Abu Dhabi, where he has been an influential security adviser to UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

In the Dahlan family home in Gaza, painted bright white in contrast to the gray neighborhood, his relatives showed off his school report cards, which showed a higher potential for history than Islamic studies.

But they were particularly proud of his latest cup: pouring 20,000 doses of Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V last month into Egyptian Gaza and Israel blocked through Egypt.

Pro-Dahlan groups have also donated food and money.

Omran, a 36-year-old unemployed man, said he recently received NIS 80 ($ 24) from a pro-Dahlan store, a gift that persuaded him to return his relatives.

Emad Mohsen, Dahlan’s friend in Gaza, told AFP that the aid was “unconditional”, with no political stripes attached to it, and said that more vaccines would be delivered in the coming weeks.

But it is clear that the campaign has won Dahlan’s support in the enclave, where he and Abbas are no longer more attached to the movement.

“We can’t wait to vote for Fatah!” said 29-year-old Amna al-Demaisy. “What has Hamas done for us? This selection could yield results that help us eat, drink and find jobs.”

While pro-Dahlan groups appear to be working without much trouble in Hamas-run Gazas, they have tighter weather in the PA-controlled West Bank.

“We will cooperate with Hamas on humanitarian grounds in Gaza,” said Osama al-Farra, a Gaza-based Dahlan ally. “In the West Bank, things are a lot harder for us.”

Conflict has escalated in recent months between Dahlan supporters and Abbas-controlled PA security forces, including deadly violence in Balata’s refugee camp last year.

This complicates the picture as Palestinian facts work to agree on Fatah-Hamas unity figures for upcoming candidate lists on March 20th.

“Our goal is to have a unified list,” Farra said. “However, if that is not possible, we will make other plans,” he said, considering the possibility of Dahlan joining a camp against Abbas.

“That’s why we’re negotiating with Marwan Barghouti.”

Barghouti, 61, has been in Israeli custody for nearly two decades after being convicted of multiple killings during the second Palestinian intifada, or revolution.

Censuses have consistently shown that he remains among the most popular Palestinian leaders.

Several weeks ago, Fatah senior and Abbas confidant Hussein al-Sheikh visited Barghouti in prison, partly to evaluate his plans ahead of the elections.

Barghouti’s proposed bid from behind Israeli bars is among the hottest topics in Palestine’s political chatter.

His cousin, Raed, defeated his expectations in an interview with AFP in Kober, the family’s West Bank village, calling for “Marwan not to take part in the parliamentary elections”.

Sitting on a platform overlooking a valley with olive trees, Raed Barghouti said Marwan, however, wants to lend his support in convincing Fatah candidates.

If his voice is not respected, Marwan may be back on a competitive list, Raed said.

For Abbas, who has not said whether he wants to run again, threats gripping Fatah are mounting.

In addition to Dahlan, the late Nasser al-Kidwa, nephew of the famous Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, has said he will run for presidency.

The Abbas camp is “concerned about Barghouti, Dahlan and Kidwa, because every vote they receive will come at the expense of Fatah and thus benefit Hamas,” said Palestinian analyst Ghassan Khatib.

Barghouti’s brother, Muqbil, for his part, was convinced that Marwan would run against Abbas.

“Then we have a president in prison,” he said. “That will show the world how the Palestinians live.”