Israel Matzav

Abu Bluff's second term ends just like the first one

There should be telegrams from around the world this evening congratulating 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen. But there won't be. The world isn't going to do anything about it, but it's certainly not going to promote it. Eight years ago today, January 15, 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen was elected President of the 'Palestinian Authority.' The second term is ending the same way the first term ended. No elections. Despite constant threats to resign and constant threats to disband the 'Palestinian Authority' Abu Mazen remains in power, and will likely do so until he dies.

Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: مَحْمُود عَبَّاس‎, Maḥmūd ʿAbbās; born 26 March 1935), also known by the kunya Abu Mazen (Arabic: أَبُو مَازِن‎, 'Abū Māzin), an Arab of the Sunni-Muslim faith, has been the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) since 11 November 2004 and became President of the Palestinian National Authority on 15 January 2005 on the Fatah (فتح Fataḥ) ticket.

Mahmoud Abbas was elected to serve until 9 January 2009, due to Palestinian Internal conflict he unilaterally extended his term for another year and continues in office even after that second deadline expired. As a result of this, Fatah's main rival, Hamas announced that it would not recognise the extension or view Abbas as rightful president.^[3][4][5] Abbas was chosen as the President of the State of Palestine by the Palestine Liberation Organization's Central Council on 23 November 2008,^[6] a job he had held unofficially since 8 May 2005.^[7] Abbas served as the first Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority from March to October 2003 when he resigned citing lack of support from Israel and the United States as well as "internal incitement" against his government.^[8] Before being named prime minister, Abbas led the PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department.

That's democracy, 'Palestinian' style.

Labels: Abu Mazen, Palestinian democracy

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:17 PM