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Palestinian Leadership Double-Crosses U.S.

[Jerusalem Post] Barry Rubin - Should the Palestinian Authority be the main advocate pushing acceptance of the bizarre Goldstone report in order to demonize Israel at the UN? When the U.S. government asked the PA not to be the main sponsor in demanding UN sanctions against Israel, the Palestinian leadership agreed for a few hours. But then, unable to resist flaunting its radicalism and obstructionism, it double-crossed the U.S., a step that further sabotaged President Obama's efforts to advance the peace process. The Palestinian leadership is once again shooting itself in the foot, throwing away a real opportunity for a state, and sabotaging its relationship with Western patrons. When it comes down to a choice between continuing the conflict and trying to win a total victory that wipes Israel off the map, or making peace and getting a state, the Palestinian leadership always chooses the former. And when it comes to choosing between being a bit more moderate and gaining Western support, or being demagogically radical and appealing to the most radical forces, the Palestinian leadership chooses the latter. If the UN goes ballistic and now bashes Israel as an evil, illegitimate war criminal - on the basis of Hamas propaganda, no less, which is all the Goldstone commission really purveys - this will not help the cause of peace and will wreck U.S. policy. If the PA cannot even refrain from this kind of behavior because of internal dissension and popular pressure, can anyone expect it to compromise on territory, security measures, an end to the conflict, and the settlement of all Palestinian refugees in Palestine? The writer is director of the Global Research in International Affairs Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal.
2009-10-12 06:00:00
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