Who is Hussein Al-Sheikh, and what does his appointment as the PLO’s new Vice President mean? – Mondoweiss

The announcement of the new Palestinian vice president has sparked debate in and outside of Palestine. 

Hussein Al-Sheikh, 65, has been a prominent figure in Palestinian politics in recent years, often described as the most powerful figure in the Palestinian Authority after President Mahmoud Abbas, and the strongest candidate to succeed him. With his appointment to the post of vice president of the chairman of the PLO’s executive committee and, by extension, the vice president…