Abbas' Constitutional Court removes Dahlan's parliamentary immunity

The Palestinian Constitutional Court, established by Abbas a few months ago, has approved an amendment which strips MPs of their immunity from prosecution.

MENA

1 min read

Robert Cusack

07 November, 2016

UAE held talks with Israel earlier this year over plans to install Dahlan as leader[AFP]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas came under fire from lawmakers over the weekend, after the Palestinian Constitutional Court issued a decision on Thursday to remove their parliamentary immunity.

Many MPs believe the court - which was established by Mahmoud Abbas a few months ago - is acting to prevent Abbas' enemies from acceding power after he steps down.

Section 3 of amendment 3, passed on 3 November, "lifts the immunity of any member of the legislative Council".

It amends the 'Procedural Rules of the Legislative Council'.

The decision is believed to directly target Abbas' rival, Mohammed Dahlan, who has been living in exile in Abu Dhabi since he was expelled from the Fatah Party in 2012.

Dahlan is still technically a Palestinian MP as elections have not been held since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Dahlan has been positioning himself as a successor to Mahmoud Abbas in recent months.

He helped host a major conference on the future of the Fatah movement in Egypt in October, with the backing and support of the country's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.