Israel Matzav

US has an ostrich-like view of Abu Mazen

Khaled Abu Toameh writes that the United States has an ostrich-like view of  'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen (Hat Tip: Bad Blue). This is from the first link.

Abu Zayda and other Palestinian officials say that Abbas's autocratic regime reminds them of the days when Yasser Arafat ran the Palestinian Authority as his private fiefdom.

No one dreamed that we would reach a situation where all the powers and top positions would be concentrated in the hands of one man, said Abu Zayda. Today, Abbas even has more powers than Arafat.

Abbas, according to Abu Zayda, has also appointed himself as the chief judge and prosecutor, making a mockery of the Palestinian judicial system.

Take, for example, the case of Ghazi Jabali, the former commissioner-general of the Palestinian Authority police force.

For many years, Jabali was wanted by the Palestinian Authority for corruption and theft. After fleeing to Jordan, the Palestinian Authority requested Interpol's help in the arrest of Jabali.

A few weeks ago, Palestinians were surprised to see Jabali staying at a luxurious hotel in Ramallah. It transpired that Jabali was able to return to the West Bank after receiving a written document from Abbas clearing him of any wrongdoing.

Abbas is surrounded by three or four people who are making important decisions on behalf of all Palestinians, noted another Palestinian official in the West Bank. These are the only people he consults with. Most PLO and Fatah leaders have no idea about Abbas's strategy.

The growing resentment about Abbas's autocratic regime and refusal to share powers and plans with other Palestinians cast doubt on his ability to win the support of a majority of Palestinians for resuming peace talks, let alone signing a peace treaty with Israel.

Abbas's autocratic rule and the frustration of many Palestinians do not seem to bother Kerry.
The U.S. seems to want to bring Abbas to the negotiating table with Israel at any price.

Kerry seems to be seeking to cut a deal with just one person -- who does not even have the backing of his people.

 That sounds like every Arab Muslim country....

Labels: Abu Mazen, John Kerry, Middle East peace process, Palestinian Authority corruption, Yasser Arafat

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:18 PM