Ageing Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas boosting his son’s political rise, officials say

TEL AVIV, Israel – For years, the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has held an iron grip on power by ousting rivals, sidelining the judiciary and cooperating with Israel on security.

Mr Abbas, 90, has now found another way to extend his influence: He has been positioning his son, Yasser, for a senior leadership role in Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority, according to six Palestinian officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information.