Mahmoud Abbas faces weakening control of Palestinian politics as a recent Fatah congress highlighted the enduring popularity of Marwan Barghouti, who has been imprisoned by Israel since 2002. The congress appeared designed to advance Abbas's son within the movement but instead underscored Barghouti's continued appeal among Palestinians.

Le Monde

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president in Ramallah, hangs on to increasingly tenuous control. The most recent Fatah congress, a transparent attempt by Abbas to promote his own son within the Palestinian liberation movement, mainly served to confirm the popularity of Marwan Barghouti, imprisoned by Israel for a quarter of a century.