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Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas Must Stop Deluding Himself
(The Australian) Editorial - It is a pity Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has been so quick to dismiss a serious proposal to get peace talks with Israel restarted without any further delay. The blueprint was proposed by the Middle East Quartet, but the ink was hardly dry on the proposal before he put the kibosh on it. Once again Mr. Abbas has displayed a lack of flexibility that ill-serves the best interests of the Palestinian people. Such obduracy from the Palestinian leader is regrettable. Mr. Netanyahu has rightly insisted Israel cannot be expected to make the same territorial mistakes over its security that have led to Gaza being turned into what is effectively an Iranian base run by Hamas terrorists. Given the lessons of history, Mr. Netanyahu can hardly be expected to exercise anything other than the utmost caution. Hamas doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist. It's hell-bent on its destruction. It has rained down thousands of rockets on Israel. Mr. Abbas must stop deluding himself. The only way Palestine will achieve statehood is through direct talks with the Israelis. Grandstanding at the UN is no substitute.