(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - A new scandal of nepotism has been revealed in the Palestinian Authority. According to Fatah sources, Health Minister Dr. Mai al-Kaila has in recent days appointed several relatives of senior officials in the PA to senior positions in the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Wa'el al-Sheikh, the nephew of Palestinian Minister Hussein al-Sheikh, was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Health. Moatasem Mohsin, son of Fatah leadership member Jamal Mohsin, was appointed Director of the Health Department in Ramallah and Al-Bireh. Dr. Maha Awad, the sister of the previous Health Minister, Jawad Awad, was appointed Director of the Women's Health Unit. As news of the appointments was leaked to social networks, rage grew on the Palestinian street, especially since the PA has withheld salaries for tens of thousands of their own workers because of the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, the PA leadership is given generous benefits and large salaries. According to Fatah sources, Mahmoud al-Habash, advisor to the PA Chairman, ranks first in the PA's nepotism practice. His son was appointed Director-General of the Prosecutor's Office. His daughter was appointed Director-General of Religious Affairs. His brother was appointed to handle the Hajj pilgrimage at the Palestinian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, while another daughter was appointed as Second Secretary of the Palestinian Embassy in Turkey, after working with him in his office. Nepotism is rife throughout Arab regimes in the Middle East, so the Palestinian public has accepted it as part of the custom of Arab rulers in the region. However, when the economic situation in the West Bank is so grave, it becomes a source of hostility toward Abbas' government. The writer, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center.
2020-06-25 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive