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Behind the Fiery Rhetoric, the Palestinian Leadership Is Cornered and Flailing
(Washington Post) Loveday Morris - On Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hurled insults at the Trump administration and on Monday, the Palestinian Central Council recommended a raft of measures that included reversing Palestinian recognition of Israel. However, Abbas' Palestinian Authority relies for its survival on his relationship with Israel, analysts say, making any bolder measures unlikely. Past threats to end security cooperation with Israel have not been carried out, while the Palestinians have little to show for efforts to promote their cause internationally. That leaves them flailing as the Trump administration accuses them of turning their back on negotiations. The PA relies on Israeli security cooperation, while Palestinians depend on the Israeli economy, with tens of thousands working in Israel, said Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and former deputy director-general of Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs.