(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - The Palestinian Authority's request for secrecy in the peace talks does not stem from its desire to secure the success of the negotiations, but rather from its fear of the reactions of Palestinians and the Arab world. Both President Mahmoud Abbas and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat are fully aware of the growing opposition among Palestinians and Arabs to the resumption of the peace talks with Israel under the terms of the U.S. Administration. Many Palestinians and Arabs have seized the opportunity to ridicule Erekat and accuse the PA leadership of treason. When Abbas agreed to resume the peace talks with Israel, he went against the recommendation of the PLO leadership. Now several Palestinian factions are in the process of forming a "national alliance," the main goal of which is to thwart any deal between Israel and the PA. PA leaders can only blame themselves for the growing opposition to the peace talks with Israel. Palestinian leaders have simply not prepared their people for peace. These leaders have, instead, delegitimized Israel to a point where it has become a "crime" for any Palestinian to be photographed talking to, or negotiating with, any Israeli.
2013-08-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive