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Source: http://jcpa.org.il/
Abbas Decides to Escalate Tensions over Jerusalem
(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs-Hebrew) Yoni Ben Menachem - Fatah sources say PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has decided to ride the recent wave of unrest in east Jerusalem and lead the struggle against Israel over the Al-Aqsa Mosque, after King Abdullah of Jordan forced Israel to take down the metal detectors at the Temple Mount. At a meeting of the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah on Tuesday, Abbas endorsed the position of the Muslim Waqf in east Jerusalem to continue the protests. He also instructed that preparations begin for approaching the International Criminal Court in The Hague and joining 28 international organizations as a state. Abbas sent a message to the residents of east Jerusalem, saying, "Jerusalem is ours and it is our capital. What you are doing is correct and we supported and support all that you did and are doing." In order to improve his standing in east Jerusalem, Abbas also announced that he was giving $25 million to institutions there. The writer, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center.