'
Moderate' '
Palestinian' President
Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen recently started the
tenth year of his four-year term in office. Aside from the fact that this isn't a whole lot different than anyplace else in the Arab world, why does it matter?
By remaining in power beyond his term, Abbas has given Hamas and
other Palestinians a good excuse to argue that he is in no way
authorized to sign a peace agreement with Israel.
"Mahmoud Abbas's term in office expired a long time ago," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. "He has lost his legitimacy. He does not have a mandate to negotiate or sign an agreement."
What this basically means is that Hamas and other Palestinian groups
are not going to accept any deal between the Palestinian Authority and
Israel, even if it includes far-reaching concessions on the part of
Israel.
Abbas was recently quoted
as saying once again that any deal he signs with Israel would apply not
only to the West Bank, which is under his control, but to the Gaza
Strip as well.
One can understand why Abbas is speaking on behalf of his
constituents in the West Bank. But how exactly does Abbas intend to
enforce a peace agreement in the Gaza Strip when he cannot even visit
his private residence there?
...
The only way to find out what Palestinians really want is by allowing
them to head to the ballot boxes. Palestinians representing all groups,
including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, should be allowed to run in such an
election.
A victory for the radicals would mean that a majority of Palestinians
do not want peace and continue to dream about the destruction of
Israel. If Abbas and his political allies win, that would be great news
for the peace process and Kerry's efforts to achieve a two-state
solution.
Yet Kerry does not seem to care whether Abbas is a "rightful"
president or not. He is so desperate for a diplomatic achievement that
he is prepared to ignore fundamental facts.
How can Kerry expect Abbas to sign any document declaring the end of
the conflict with Israel when many Palestinians are already pointing out
that their president does not even have a mandate to act or speak on
their behalf?
As Hillary Clinton would say, what difference does it make?
Right, "What difference does it make?" Abbas is a as qualified as president of the PLA as Obama is "American born." So, we have 2 legitimately illegitimate presidents trying to do the impossible. Why all the charades? Can Obama and Kerry actually believe that they can help make peace between Israel and the Palis? Where's Sigmund Freud when we need him?
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