"This is an unexpected result. It's a big change, a huge change," said Naser al-Kidwa, a nephew of Abbas's charismatic predecessor Arafat who also won a Central Committee seat.
Others were more cautious. Two journalists wrote the new committee members "will not bring instant change in the ability of Fatah's leader President Mahmoud Abbas to make peace with Israel -- or with Fatah's Islamist nemesis, Hamas."
Some Palestinians received the news with skepticism. "The old generation or the new, they're all the same," said Abu Qusei Asaf, 35, a Bethlehem bookstore owner. "The struggle for them is nothing, just papers on the table. They all fight over seats but don't help the people."
Hamas welcomed the elections as a chance to renew negotiations between the primary Palestinian factions. Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader, said Monday, "we wish for a new leadership in Fatah so we can continue the dialogue," he said during a visit to Egypt.
This shoring up of the party may strengthen the PA's hand vis-a-vis Israel. Hani Masri, a Palestinian political analyst said, the voting would give Abbas more leverage in negotiations with Israel by letting him present himself as the head of a more vigorous movement, which retained the option to resume its armed conflict.
Marwan Barghouti, who is serving a life sentence in an Israeli jail, was elected the executive of the Committee. He has long been considered a possible successor for the party's leadership, one that Israel may be willing to release. The Jerusalem Post reported that more Israeli government officials are open to releasing the popular resistance figure in the hope of creating a stronger "moderate" leadership.
HEADLINES
Hamas: Palestinian talks can not continue indefinitely (Xinhua)
Palestinians get EU, Saudi aid worth $255 mln (AFP)
Israeli FM blames Fatah's new platform: report (Xinhua)
Mideast peace unlikely in coming years: Israeli FM (AFP)
Palestinian premier lives in E. Jerusalem, but is guarded by Palestinians (Haaretz)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Excavations ruin road in East Jerusalem (PRESS TV)
Settlers burn Palestinian car in Hebron (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian negotiator denies arrangement for Abbas-Netanyahu meeting (Xinhua)
Fayyad promises to solve water crisis in Hebron "in two weeks" (Maan News)
Cleaning up explosives in Gaza (The Electronic Intifada)
PCHR condemns harassment of Palestinian civilians at military checkpoints (PCHR)
Hamas political prisoner dies at a Palestinian prison (International Middle East Media Center)
Israel
Israeli minister suggests releasing Barghouthi from prison (Maan News)
Netanyahu: Lebanon will pay if Hezbollah attacks (Haaretz)
Barak hopeful for talks with Palestinians (Ynetnews)
Tensions flare between settlers, top IDF general (Haaretz)
Soldier who stole credit card from Palestinian gets prison sentence (Ynetnews)
The Neighbors
Kingdom reminds Palestinians of king's appeal (Arab News)
Hezbollah official: We're ready to ward off any Israeli aggression (Ynet)
Netanyahu: Israel not heading for Lebanon war (Haaretz)
Israeli minister rebukes consul (Boston Globe)
US Foreign Policy
Senators to Obama: Lean on Arabs to normalize Israel ties (Haaretz)
Palestinian negotiator: Washington plans binding steps for Mideast peace (Xinhua)
International Relations/Law
Israel issues holiday travel warning (Xinhua)
China urges more global effort for Mideast peace (AFP)
Report: Egypt and Hamas to resume Shalit talks this week (Ha'aretz)
Prison Service: Saadat transfer not related to Shalit deal (Ynetnews)
Arts and Activism
Palestinian sues Sacha Baron Cohen for slander (Al-Arabiya)
Hamas-funded film opens in Gaza (BBC News)
Misc.
Rabbis fly over Israel in hopes of eliminating swine flu (Ynetnews)
Commentary
Mohammad Salah: The Palestinian Tunnel and the Arab Tunnels (Al-Hayat)
Agha and Malley: The Two-State solution doesn't solve anything (NY Times)
ANALYSIS / Israel's threats to Lebanon only boost Hezbollah (Haaretz)
Bar'ei: Isreal's threats to Lebanon only boost Hezbollah (Haaretz)
Hammad: Orgy of the dead (Counterpunch)
Cook: Israeli school apartheid (Counterpunch)
Israeli politicians have learned nothing about how to deal with Lebanon (Daily Star)
Said: Why are we so far behind? (Al-Ahram)
Freedman: Israel's anti-immigration immigrants (Guardian)
Jon Elmer: Prison strengthens Palestinian women (The Electronic Intifada)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
