The Enigma of Majed Faraj: Unraveling His Role in Palestinian Politics
Watan-After days of a report revealing an Israeli occupation plan involving the use of Palestinian Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj as a governor for Gaza post-war, many questions arose about his history and key information about him.
Majed Faraj, aged 61, is considered the most senior security figure in the Palestinian Authority, having close ties with Mahmoud Abbas and excellent relations with top Israeli security officials.
Faraj coordinates on behalf of the Authority with both the Shin Bet, the CIA, Arab intelligence agencies, and Western intelligence agencies.
Who is the intelligence man Majed Faraj? Faraj, accused of committing acts of violence and torture within Palestinian Authority prisons, plays a crucial role in many of the Authority’s strategic files.
Among the prominent files are the reconciliation file with Hamas, Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and security coordination with Israel.
هل تم الاتفاق على قيام #ماجد_فرج رئيس المخابرات الفلسطيني بإدارة #غزة بعد الحرب؟
حسام بدران عضو المكتب السياسي لحماس يُجيب.. pic.twitter.com/20REebQAcO— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) March 12, 2024
There are numerous special files entrusted to him by Abbas, which have granted him wide influence.
The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Britain affirmed that Majed Faraj is responsible for violations related to arbitrary detention and systematic torture in June 2016.
The organization asserts evidence pointing to the involvement of Faraj’s intelligence apparatus and the Preventive Security apparatus in a campaign of arbitrary arrests involving nighttime raids.
Violations include seizing personal belongings, subjecting some detainees to enforced disappearance and torture. The organization has documented names of detainees and places where they were unlawfully held, subjected to brutal torture.
Majed Faraj is described as an overt agent for the Israeli occupation, with Israeli media not hesitating to mention his name as one of the figures trying to recruit Israelis for the benefit of Fatah organization.
The “Yedioth Ahronoth” newspaper mentioned Faraj sending messages to Jibril Rajoub, then head of Preventive Security in the West Bank, regarding details of Israeli female recruits and the possibility of cooperation with them to obtain information in exchange for financial rewards.
In a move to bolster Majed Faraj’s chances in the battle for the presidency, Mahmoud Abbas issued, under pressure from the occupation, a law allowing Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj to remain in his position indefinitely, only removable by him, with the rank of a minister.
ذكرت القناة الـ14 الإسرائيلية إن مدير المخابرات الفلسطينية ماجد فرج بدأ العمل على بناء قوة مسلحة جنوب قطاع غزة تحت غطاء توزيع المساعدات الانسانية، وتتكون من بعض العائلات المناكفة لحماس.
الشعب الفلسطيني يقدم التضحيات بدمه وماله ومسكنه وقوته، والسلطة الوظيفية في رام الله جاهزة… pic.twitter.com/RFMhljgWej— Dr Rafik Abdessalem. د. رفيق عبد السلام (@RafikAbdessalem) March 13, 2024
Media sources state that Majed Faraj enjoys American and Israeli acceptance due to his role in security coordination between the Authority and Israel.
He is mentioned as collaborating with the American intelligence agency in several files and has supported the plan of American Michael Venzel, which revolves around the idea of establishing a Palestinian security force trained and deployed to confront groups in the northern West Bank.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid mentioned that “it is natural to mention Faraj’s name, as he is one of the most prominent figures in the Palestinian Authority who worked with us against Hamas.”
