Arafat’s nephew, potential Gaza governor, returns to Palestinian Authority from exile after pardon

Palestine (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Nasser al-Qudwa, nephew of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, has returned to the Palestinian Authority after four years in exile, following a pardon from President Mahmoud Abbas. He aims to reform the PA, fight corruption, and push for peace in Gaza through political transformation of Hamas.

Nasser al-Qudwa returns from exile with political vision

Nasser al-Qudwa, the nephew of Palestine’s former leader Yasser Arafat, has returned to the West Bank after four years in voluntary exile in France. This return was made possible after President Mahmoud Abbas pardoned him and readmitted him into the Fatah movement last week, ending his sidelining since 2021 when he was expelled for challenging Abbas’s leadership by running a rival election list.​

In an exclusive interview with Ynet News, al-Qudwa expressed his commitment to major reforms within the Palestinian Authority (PA). He emphasised restoring public trust, combating corruption, and managing the complex political landscape between the PA and Hamas in Gaza.​

Roadmap for Gaza and Political Reforms

Al-Qudwa outlined a “road map” to peace in Gaza that involves transforming Hamas from an armed group into a political party. This would allow for Palestinian Authority governance to be restored over Gaza, which has been under Hamas control since 2007. He warned against unilateral Israeli annexation moves, describing them as detrimental to peace prospects and regional stability.​

He stated: “Annexing land without the people’s consent is madness. It will deepen the conflict and make life unbearable. We need a policy based on truth, recognition of Palestinian rights, and coexistence”.​

Calls for Reform Within Fatah and the Palestinian Authority

Al-Qudwa criticised the current Palestinian leadership, saying there needs to be a “serious confrontation of corruption” within the PA. He highlighted the loss of public confidence as one of the biggest challenges facing Palestinian politics. Referring to this distrust, he remarked to Reuters:

“The first duty is to regain confidence of the street something that we lost. We must have the courage to admit it. Without trust, frankly, everything else is useless”.​

Potential Role as Gaza Governor

A senior Palestinian official told Ynet that al-Qudwa’s return raises strong possibility of his appointment as the Palestinian Authority’s governor of Gaza. His acceptability across Fatah reformists and international actors such as France and the UAE positions him as a potential bridge-builder between factions.​

His diplomatic ties and relationships with regional stakeholders, including Arab states and contacts with Hamas, bolster this possibility.​

Background and Political Context

Nasser al-Qudwa is a former member of Fatah’s central council and previously served as Palestine’s foreign minister and head of the Arafat Foundation. His exile began in 2021 when he was expelled from Fatah for defying Abbas by presenting an independent candidate list for Palestinian elections, which Abbas subsequently postponed indefinitely amid political tensions.​

President Mahmoud Abbas, aged 89, has recently been under increased pressure from various factions to implement reforms within the Palestinian Authority, especially regarding governance of Gaza amid reconstruction efforts following recent conflicts.​

Challenges Ahead for Palestinian Leadership

Al-Qudwa’s return comes at a critical juncture as the Palestinian leadership faces immense pressure to unify its governance structures and address the needs of Gaza’s war-torn population. The ongoing conflict with Israeli authorities and internal Palestinian divisions have complicated peace efforts and prospects for political stability.​

His advocacy for a political transition of Hamas and zero tolerance for corruption within Fatah reflect the urgent priorities for the Palestinian Authority’s future strategy.