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Fatah, with Mahmoud Abbas at the Helm, Confirms the Confrontation Strategy toward Israel
(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Lt. Col. (ret.) Jonathan D. Halevi - The Fatah Central Committee gave its backing to a strategy that combines the terror intifada with diplomatic and legal moves in the international arena aimed at achieving recognition of the state of Palestine, as well as an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders, with no political quid pro quo from the Palestinians. The Committee convened on Dec. 6 at Mahmoud Abbas' presidential headquarters in Ramallah. As described in the Palestinian media, "The meeting began with readings of Surat Al-Fatihah in remembrance of the souls of the heroic martyrs, and it [the Committee] conveyed its condolences and appreciation to the families of the martyrs." The Committee did not condemn the acts of violence. It characterized the foiling of terror attacks as "executions," chose to call the perpetrators "heroes," and promised to assist their families. The Palestinian leadership thereby gave full backing to the continuation of the terror wave against Israel. Moreover, "The Central Committee condemned the decision of the occupation municipality to establish new facts in the Al-Buraq [Western Wall] area, and views this as a continuation of the change of the existing situation in the city of Al-Quds and particularly in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings." The wording indicates that the Palestinian leadership, with Abbas at the helm, denies the Jewish right to the area of the Western Wall and regards it as a sacred Islamic site that is an inseparable part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.