What is the Fatah party?
Founded in 1957 by the late Yasser Arafat, Fatah is a secular political party whose goal is to establish a Palestinian state. In spite of Hamas’ recent surge in popularity, Fatah remains the most powerful constituent organization within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority – the governing body in the occupied West Bank and Gaza – is a member of Fatah. Its members hold 42 out of the 132 seats within the Palestinian Legislative Council.