(Hudson Institute New York) Khaled Abu Toameh - By rejecting President Obama's requests to avoid a UN bid for Palestinian statehood and to return to the negotiating table, PA President Mahmoud Abbas is hoping to join the few Arab and Muslim leaders who have dared to stand up to the Americans. By distancing himself from Washington, Abbas has moved closer toward the Arab world's anti-U.S. camp, led by Iran and consisting of Hamas, Hizbullah and other radical groups. Further, Abbas has not only turned his back on the Americans; he is now also whipping up anti-American sentiment among Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. Speaking to journalists in Ramallah, top Abbas aides accused Obama of "surrendering to Zionist pressure" and being influenced by "Zionist and pro-Israel" advisors. One official in Ramallah even called for a boycott of U.S. envoy Dennis Ross under the pretext that he was "pro-Israel." On instructions from senior Palestinian officials, demonstrators took to the streets to chant anti-U.S. slogans and burn portraits of Obama.
2011-09-27 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive