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How Abbas Fooled the Americans

(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - PA President Mahmoud Abbas fooled the Americans into thinking he would be able to sign a peace agreement with Israel that included concessions unacceptable to most Palestinians. He persuaded the Americans that the release of Palestinian prisoners imprisoned by Israel before the Oslo Accords would enhance his standing and boost his chances of signing a peace agreement with Israel. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. envoy to the Middle East Martin Indyk were quick to buy Abbas' argument, and they exerted heavy pressure on the Israeli government to approved the release of 104 prisoners, including many with "blood on their hands." In the end, the release of the prisoners brought about neither a peace agreement with Israel, nor bolstered Abbas' standing among Palestinians, or increased the number of Palestinians who support the peace process with Israel. Over the past few weeks, the PA president has been denounced as a "traitor" for merely opposing the abduction of three Israeli teenagers. Abbas appears to be the only player who benefited from the U.S.-sponsored peace process. Not only did he get 78 prisoners released, but it also paved the way for Abbas to embark on unilateral moves and wage a diplomatic war against Israel in the international arena. The U.S. failed to understand that no Palestinian leader has a mandate to make real concessions to Israel as part of a peace agreement.
2014-07-03 00:00:00
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