Mahmoud Abbas Biography and Timeline — Page 3

Mutual Ceasefire Declaration

Abbas and Sharon announce commitments to stop violence against Israelis and Palestinians at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.

Role range: 2000-2005 – 2005-2026

Independence of Palestine

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

Meeting with With President Bush

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

Gaza Disengagement

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

Hamas Election

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

Haniyeh Government Mandate

Following Hamas's legislative election victory, Abbas formally asked Ismail Haniyeh to form a Palestinian government. The decision began a difficult period of institutional coexistence between the Fatah-led presidency and a Hamas-led cabinet.

Call for Early Elections

As fighting and political deadlock between Fatah and Hamas intensified, Abbas called for new presidential and legislative elections. He presented elections as a possible route out of the growing constitutional and factional crisis.

Unity Efforts

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

Fatah Hamas Rivalry

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

Abbas Meshaal Damascus Meeting

Abbas met Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus in an effort to reduce factional tensions. The meeting formed part of regional attempts to prevent the Fatah-Hamas dispute from developing into a permanent political split.

Fatah

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

Hamas

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

Hamas

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

Hamas

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

Rule of Gaza Strip

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

Rule of Gaza Strip

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

Sharm el Sheikh Four Way Summit

Abbas joined Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at Sharm el-Sheikh after Hamas took control of Gaza. The summit focused on supporting the Palestinian presidency and reviving confidence-building measures with Israel.

Olmert Abbas Jericho Meeting

Abbas hosted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jericho for talks on fundamental issues connected with a future Palestinian state. The meeting was notable because it was the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to Palestinian-administered territory in seven years.

Annapolis Peace Conference

Abbas represented the Palestinian side at the United States-sponsored Annapolis conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The parties agreed to launch renewed bilateral negotiations and to pursue the obligations of the Road Map.

Coup

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

Emergency Government

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

Hamas

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

Rule of Gaza

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

Suspension of Annapolis Negotiations

Abbas suspended negotiations with Israel during a sharp escalation of fighting in Gaza. He resumed diplomatic engagement only after international mediation sought to restore the Annapolis negotiating process.

Election as President of State of Palestine

The PLO Central Council elected Abbas as President of the State of Palestine in a symbolic vote. The decision added a state-level title to his existing leadership of the Palestinian Authority and the PLO.

Sixth Fatah General Conference

At Fatah's first general conference in roughly two decades, Abbas consolidated his leadership of the movement and was confirmed as its chairman. The Bethlehem gathering also renewed party institutions and elected a new Central Committee.

Election

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

Resignation of Mahmoud Abbas

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

Election

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

PLO Central Council Extends Presidency

The PLO Central Council voted to keep Abbas in the presidency until elections could be organised. The decision prolonged his tenure beyond the original electoral term amid the continuing political division between the West Bank and Gaza.

Washington Direct Peace Talks

Abbas entered direct negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington under United States sponsorship. The talks aimed to revive a final-status process after a prolonged period without sustained direct negotiations.

Breakdown of Direct Negotiations

The 2010 direct negotiating round stalled after the Israeli settlement-construction moratorium expired. Abbas declined to continue substantive talks without movement on the settlement issue, leaving the renewed process suspended.

Cairo Reconciliation Ceremony

Abbas joined Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and other Palestinian representatives in Cairo to mark a reconciliation agreement between rival factions. The accord was intended to create a path toward unified institutions and future elections.

UN Full Membership Application

Abbas submitted Palestine's application for full membership of the United Nations to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He then addressed the General Assembly and argued that Palestinian statehood should be recognised on the basis of the pre-1967 lines.

UNESCO Membership Admission

Palestine was admitted as a full member of UNESCO during Abbas's wider campaign for international recognition. The vote demonstrated that the Palestinian leadership could gain membership in a United Nations specialised agency even while full UN membership remained unresolved.

UN Non Member Observer State Status

The United Nations General Assembly voted to accord Palestine non-member observer State status. Abbas addressed the Assembly in support of the initiative, which significantly strengthened Palestine's standing within the UN system.

State of Palestine UN Designation

Following the General Assembly vote, the Palestinian leadership informed the United Nations that the designation State of Palestine should be used in UN documents and meetings. Abbas was identified in that framework as President of the State of Palestine.

Resumption of US Brokered Peace Talks

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators returned to direct talks after an initiative led by United States Secretary of State John Kerry. Abbas authorised the Palestinian delegation to re-enter negotiations aimed at resolving final-status issues.

Security Council Statehood Resolution Bid

The Palestinian leadership pursued a draft Security Council resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation within a defined timetable. The proposal did not receive the votes required for adoption, but it marked another stage in Abbas's strategy of seeking international action on statehood.

Unity Government

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