Mahmoud Abbas

As a key PLO negotiator, Abbas was instrumental in the secret talks that led to the Oslo Accords. He signed the Declaration of Principles on behalf of the PLO, establishing the Palestinian Authority and a framework for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Following Yasser Arafat's death, Abbas was elected Chairman of the PLO. This position made him the central figure in Palestinian leadership, responsible for negotiations with Israel and internal Palestinian governance.

Abbas won the Palestinian presidential election with 62% of the vote. His election followed Arafat's death and was seen as a mandate for peace negotiations with Israel, though his term expired in 2009 without new elections.

After winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Hamas forcibly seized control of the Gaza Strip from Fatah forces loyal to Abbas. This split the Palestinian territories into two rival governments: Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza.

Abbas formally submitted an application to the United Nations seeking full membership for the State of Palestine. The bid was not approved by the Security Council but led to Palestine being granted non-member observer state status in 2012.