Israel Matzav

Abu Mazan threatens to resign

London-based A Sharq al Awsat reported this morning that 'moderate Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen has threatened to resign. Abu Mazen made the threat during a phone call with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who requested that he use his authority to help free kidnapped IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit. Abu Mazen responded that he no longer has any authority.

Abu Mazen, who has spent the entire period of his 'Presidency' making excuses for why he cannot do anything, blamed the Israelis for his latest woes. Speaking to reporters in Amman yesterday, following talks with Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, Abu Mazen said that, "the situation is extremely difficult. The Israelis are continuously escalating. They are targeting civilians on the one side and the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority on the other." Of course, Abu Mazen will not even consider the possibility that he could bring the 'situation' to an end by fighting the terrorists shooting Kassams (so that Israel would not have to) and by causing Shalit to be released.

A statement issued by Jordanian 'King' Abdullah after an impromptu meeting with Abu Mazen pledged to "work tirelessly, and in cooperation with all international sides, to ensure the cessation of [Israeli] military operations and ease the tragic situation faced by Palestinians. Returning to the peace process is now an imperative in order to get out of the current crisis." Note no mention of stopping Kassam fire or releasing Shalit.

As far as I am concerned, let Abu Mazen resign. It would remove any pretense of 'moderation' from the 'Palestinian people.' Maybe if there were no figleaf of 'negotiating' with the ineffectual Abu Mazen, the West would finally see the 'Palestinians' for the gang of terrorists that they are.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:15 AM