GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Fatah's internal disputes are back in the spotlight after a surprising revelation at a movement gathering in Nablus on Aug. 5. Jamal Muheisen, a Central Committee member, announced at the meeting that Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas had signed off on a decision to dismiss four Fatah leaders on the grounds of having “other allegiances,” a not-so-veiled reference to Abbas rival and ousted Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan.

The decision was confirmed by a leaked document issued by Palestinian General Intelligence and addressed to Abbas in his capacity as leader of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Dated Aug. 7 and published by several Palestinian media outlets, including Pal Times, the document notes that six leaders were to be dismissed, not four as Muheisen had announced. Those named were Najat Abu Bakr, Naima Sheikh Ali, Adli Sadek and Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, while the identities of the other two were not disclosed.

A member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council who attended the Aug. 5 meeting told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “During the meeting held to discuss Fatah’s internal affairs before the local elections in October, we were asked [by Muheisen] to suggest names from inside and outside Fatah to run as candidates in the elections for the governorate of Nablus. One of the attendees suggested putting forward the name of a figure who is socially acceptable in order to guarantee our win. He proposed MP Abu Bakr, as he believed she is best suited for the position, since she meets all the requirements.”

The official continued, “Muheisen was angered and said that the president had approved the decision to dismiss Abu Bakr along with Sheikh Ali, Sadek and Abu Khoussa, because they have other allegiances and maintain a relationship with dismissed leader Mohammed Dahlan.”