Fayyad was in Austin to attend the graduation of his son Khaled Fayyad from college. On Sunday, the prime minister started experiencing severe chest pains and was taken to the hospital where he then suffered a heart attack. Catheterization, a procedure that opens coronary arteries using a tiny balloon, was performed successfully and Fayyad is resting.

Fayyad is in jeopardy of losing the Prime Minister’s seat that he gained in 2007. His independent views will likely not agree with President Abbas’ new partners – Hamas.