Mahmoud Abbas Biography

Abbas and his family leave Safed during the 1948 war and become part of the Palestinian refugee population

Abbas grows up in Syria after his family settles there following displacement from Palestine

Abbas becomes associated with the early Fatah movement founded by Palestinian nationalists

The Palestine Liberation Organization is founded and later becomes the main framework for Abbas political activity

Abbas works within Fatah as the movement expands its political and organisational influence

Fatah gains influence inside the PLO and Abbas becomes part of its senior political environment

Abbas becomes increasingly active in PLO institutions after Fatah takes a leading role

Abbas remains connected to the PLO during the crisis between Palestinian forces and Jordan

Abbas develops a reputation as a political organiser rather than a military commander

Abbas supports the PLO leadership as it begins exploring phased political strategy

Abbas becomes involved in PLO contacts with international political figures and movements

Abbas favours diplomatic engagement as part of the Palestinian national strategy

The PLO evacuates Beirut after the Israeli siege and Abbas continues political work from exile

Abbas works with the PLO leadership after its headquarters moves to Tunis

The First Intifada begins and Abbas supports PLO efforts to maintain leadership over Palestinian politics

The First Intifada begins and Abbas supports PLO efforts to maintain leadership over Palestinian politics

Supports PLO diplomatic work as pressure builds for a negotiated process.

Abbas remains within the PLO leadership during the diplomatic crisis caused by the Gulf War

Abbas becomes one of the senior PLO figures involved in the Oslo diplomatic process

Abbas signs the Declaration of Principles on behalf of the PLO

Abbas signs the Declaration of Principles on behalf of the PLO at the White House

Signs the Declaration of Principles for the PLO, committing to an interim self-government process in Gaza and the West Bank.

The Palestinian Authority is created as Oslo implementation begins in Gaza and Jericho

Supports the agreement establishing Palestinian self-government in Gaza and Jericho.

Abbas supports implementation of the Gaza Jericho Agreement under the Oslo process

Supports the agreement as a senior PLO negotiator and advocate of the Oslo process.

Abbas becomes Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee

Palestinian elections are held under Oslo arrangements and Abbas remains a senior PLO figure

Abbas participates in preparations for final status negotiations with Israel

The Second Intifada begins and Abbas continues to favour negotiation over armed confrontation

The Second Intifada begins after Ariel Sharon visits the Temple Mount and violence spreads across Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank.

Abbas criticises the militarisation of the uprising and supports renewed diplomatic efforts

Abbas criticises the militarisation of the uprising and supports renewed diplomatic efforts

International pressure grows for reform of Palestinian Authority institutions during the Second Intifada

Serves as the first Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority from March to October

Serves as the first Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority from March to October

Mahmoud Abbas becomes Palestinian Prime Minister amid pressure for reform during the uprising

Receives the Quartet Road Map as the first Palestinian Prime Minister.

Meets Bush and Sharon and commits to ending armed attacks.

Abbas resigns as Prime Minister after disputes over authority and security powers

Resigns citing lack of support from Israel and the United States as well as "internal incitement" against his Government

Serves as Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee, after Yasser Arafats death

Abbas becomes Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee after Arafat's death

After Arafat dies Abbas becomes a leading candidate to succeed him in Palestinian politics

Abbas is endorsed by Fatahs Revolutionary Council as its preferred candidate for the Palestinian presidential election

Abbas calls for an end to violence in the Al-Aqsa Intifada and a return to peaceful resistance

Abbas calls for an end to violence in the Al-Aqsa Intifada and a return to peaceful resistance

Abbas calls for an end to violence in the Al-Aqsa Intifada and a return to peaceful resistance

Abbas leads the Palestinian Authority during Israel's unilateral withdrawal from settlements in Gaza

A mandate to secure a ceasefire, reform the corrupt PLA & resume peace talks

A mandate to secure a ceasefire, reform the corrupt PLA & resume peace talks

Elected President with 62.3% of the votes cast

Abbas is elected President of the Palestinian Authority after the death of Yasser Arafat

Abbas is elected with 62% of the vote as the new president of the Palestinian Authority

Abbas is formally sworn in as the President of the Palestinian National Authority in a ceremony held in the West Bank town of Ramallah

Israeli radio reports that Abbas had secured a 30-day ceasefire from Hamas and Islamic Jihad

Israeli radio reports that Abbas had secured a 30-day ceasefire from Hamas and Islamic Jihad

Israeli radio reports that Abbas had secured a 30-day ceasefire from Hamas and Islamic Jihad

Israeli radio reports that Abbas had secured a 30-day ceasefire from Hamas and Islamic Jihad

Abbas meets Ariel Sharon at Sharm el Sheikh and announces steps to reduce violence

Abbas and Sharon declare steps toward ending violence at the Sharm el Sheikh summit

Meets Sharon and declares an end to armed attacks against Israelis.

Abbas travels to the White House and meets with President Bush, Bush, in return for Abbas crackdown on terrorists, pledges $50 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority and reiterates US support or a free Palestinian state

Abbas travels to the White House and meets with President Bush, Bush, in return for Abbas crackdown on terrorists, pledges $50 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority and reiterates US support or a free Palestinian state

Abbas faces a major political crisis as Hamas forms a government after its election victory

Abbas attempts to negotiate arrangements between Fatah and Hamas after the election dispute

Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections creating a power struggle with Abbas and Fatah

Hamas violently overthrows Fatah forces in the Gaza Strip and Hamas members are dismissed from the PNA Government in response, Hamas has de facto control of the area

Abbas dismisses the Hamas led government and appoints an emergency administration in the West Bank

President Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah) issues a decree outlawing the Hamas militia and executive force after Hamas militarily takes control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas violently overthrows Fatah forces in the Gaza Strip and Hamas members are dismissed from the PNA Government in response, Hamas has de facto control of the area

Hamas violently overthrows Fatah forces in the Gaza Strip and Hamas members are dismissed from the PNA Government in response, Hamas has de facto control of the area

Leaders from Hamas and Fatah, two Palestinian factions that have been engaged in deadly violence, meet in Mecca and reach deal to end the fighting and to form a unity Government

President Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah) issues a decree outlawing the Hamas militia and executive force after Hamas militarily takes control of the Gaza Strip

Abbas issues a decree outlawing the Hamas militia and executive force after Hamas takes control of Gaza

Leaders from Hamas and Fatah, two Palestinian factions that have been engaged in deadly violence, meet in Mecca and reach deal to end the fighting and to form a unity Government

Abbas loses effective control of Gaza after Hamas defeats Fatah forces in the territory

President Mahmoud Abbas (Fatah) issues a decree outlawing the Hamas militia and executive force after Hamas militarily takes control of the Gaza Strip

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announces he will not seek re-election as president and intends to quit politics

Abbas announces he does not intend to seek re election as president

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announces he will not seek re-election as president and intends to quit politics

Abbas backs a Fatah Hamas reconciliation government intended to reunify Palestinian institutions

Abbas supports Egyptian mediated efforts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas

Abbas delivers controversial speeches while continuing to oppose American policy under the Trump administration

Rejects the Trump administration peace plan as unacceptable to Palestinian national claims.

Declares a state of emergency after COVID-19 cases are found in Bethlehem.

Abbas postpones planned Palestinian elections citing disputes over voting in East Jerusalem

Abbas continues to lead the Palestinian Authority amid criticism over elections governance and security coordination

After the Hamas attack on Israel and the Gaza war Abbas calls for Palestinian political authority under the PLO framework

Abbas accepts the resignation of the Palestinian Authority government and oversees efforts to form a new cabinet