Efraim Karsh: Palestinian Leaders Don't Want an Independent State
For nearly a century, Palestinian leaders have missed no opportunity to impede the development of Palestinian civil society and the attainment of Palestinian statehood. Had Hajj Amin Husseini chosen to lead his constituents to peace and reconciliation with their Jewish neighbors, the Palestinians would have had their independent state over a substantial part of mandate Palestine by 1948, if not a decade earlier, and would have been spared the traumatic experience of dispersal and exile. Had Arafat set the PLO from the start on the path to peace and reconciliation instead of turning it into one of the most murderous and corrupt terrorist organizations in modern times, a Palestinian state could have been established in the late 1960s or the early 1970s; in 1979, as a corollary to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty; by May 1999, as part of the Oslo process; or at the very latest, with the Camp David summit of July 2000. Had Abbas abandoned his predecessors' rejectionist path, a Palestinian state could have been established after the Annapolis summit of November 2007, or during President Obama's first term after Benjamin Netanyahu broke with the longstanding Likud precept by publicly accepting in June 2009 the two-state solution and agreeing to the establishment of a Palestinian state.12 ways the US administration has failed its ally Israel
But then, the attainment of statehood would have shattered Palestinian leaders' pan-Arab and Islamist delusions, not to mention the kleptocratic paradise established on the backs of their long suffering subjects. It would have transformed the Palestinians in one fell swoop from the world's ultimate victim into an ordinary (and most likely failing) nation-state thus terminating decades of unprecedented international indulgence. It would have also driven the final nail in the PLO's false pretense to be "the sole representative of the Palestinian people" (already dealt a devastating blow by Hamas's 2006 electoral rout) and would have forced any governing authority to abide, for the first time in Palestinian history, by the principles of accountability and transparency. Small wonder, therefore, that whenever confronted with an international or Israeli offer of statehood, Palestinian leaders would never take "yes" for an answer. (h/t Bob Knot)
What was saddest about Washington’s insistence on accepting Abbas’s paper-thin veneer over his government’s new nature — his “technocrat” ministers were all approved by Hamas — is that it represents only the Obama administration’s latest abrogation of leadership, logic and leverage at Israel’s expense. Rather than rushing to embrace a Palestinian government in which an unreformed Hamas is a central component, what was to stop the US conditioning its acceptance on a reform of Hamas? What was to stop Washington saying that it would be happy to work with Abbas’s new government, the moment its Hamas backers recognized Israel, accepted previous agreements and renounced terrorism? Not a particularly high bar. What was to stop the US making such a demand, one of tremendous importance to its ally Israel? Only its incomprehensible reluctance to do.Khaled Abu Toameh: Fatah Leaders: Abbas Is A Dictator
Unfortunately, however, such lapses and failures are not the exception when it comes to the US-Israel alliance of late. This administration has worked closely with Israel in ensuring the Jewish state maintains its vital military advantage in this treacherous neighborhood, partnering Israel in offensive and defensive initiatives, notably including missile defense. It has stood by Israel at diplomatic moments of truth. It has broadly demonstrated its friendship, as would be expected given America’s interest in promoting the well-being of the region’s sole, stable, dependable democracy. But the dash to recognize the Fatah-Hamas government was one more in a series of aberrations — words and deeds that would have been far better left unsaid or undone, misconceived strategies, minor betrayals.
The unprecedented verbal attacks on Abbas reflect the deepening crisis in Fatah. Dahlan and the five senior Fatah officials who were expelled by Abbas enjoy widespread support among Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip. And it is obvious that Dahlan and his loyalists do not intend this time to let Abbas get away with his controversial decision.
The renewed tensions in Fatah came as Abbas announced that he has instructed the new unity government to prepare for long overdue presidential and parliamentary elections. He said he is hoping that the elections will be held within six months and that he wants Hamas to participate in the vote, as was the situation in January 2006.
In the wake of the infighting in Fatah, Hamas's chances of winning the elections, when and if they are held, do not seem to be bad at all. In 2006, Fatah lost the parliamentary election due to internal squabbling and tensions, as well as financial and administrative corruption. Eight years later, Fatah appears to be suffering from the same problems and is likely to be defeated once again at the ballot box.
Israel denounces US for accepting Abbas’s Hamas-backed government
Jerusalem on Monday night slammed the United States for announcing that it will work with the new Palestinian unity government, sworn in earlier Monday. In strikingly bitter comments, officials said that rather than cooperating with a government backed by a terror group, Washington ought to be urging Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to disband his pact with Hamas and resume peace negotiations with Israel.Israeli ambassador rebukes US for backing PA unity
“We are deeply disappointed by the comments of the State Department regarding working with the Palestinian unity government. This Palestinian government is a government backed by Hamas, which is a terror organization committed to Israel’s destruction,” Israeli government officials said. “If the US administration wanted to advance peace, it should be calling on Abbas to end his pact with Hamas and return to peace talks with Israel,” they added. “Instead, it is enabling Abbas to believe that it is acceptable to form a government with a terrorist organization.”
In tough language rare for an Israeli diplomat in Washington, Israeli ambassador to the US Ron Dermer said Tuesday that Israel was “deeply disappointed” in the State Department’s decision to continue dealing with the Palestinian Authority now that it has Hamas support.Israel to boycott new Palestinian unity government
“Israel is deeply disappointed with the State Department’s comments today on the Palestinian unity government with Hamas, a terrorist organization responsible for the murder of many hundreds of Israelis, which has fired thousands of rockets at Israeli cities, and which remains committed to Israel’s destruction,” Dermer wrote in a Facebook post.
“This Palestinian unity government is a government of technocrats backed by terrorists, and should be treated as such,” he said. “With suits in the front office and terrorists in the back office, it should not be business as usual.”
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the security cabinet denounced the new Palestinian Authority leadership, with Netanyahu calling PA President Mahmoud Abbas a peace rejectionist and vowing not to negotiate with his new government.On Twitter, Netanyahu Calls Out Hamas as Terror Group, Points to its Sympathies for Bin Laden
The cabinet decided Israel would now view the Palestinian government as responsible for any hostile action emanating from the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank, according to the statement.
The security cabinet also voted unanimously to reject any negotiations with a Palestinian government that includes Hamas, and authorized Netanyahu to impose further sanctions upon the Palestinian leadership.
As the rival Palestinian Fatah and Hamas parties announced details of their unity pact on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded the world via a Twitter post that Fatah has chosen “a pact with a terror organization over peace with Israel.”Israel restricts movement of Palestinian ministers
On Twitter, Netanyahu added an image of arch-terrorist Osama Bin Laden and Fatah President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, shaking hands with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. The caption of the image says, “Hamas’ leader condemned the killing of Bin Laden. This is President Abbas’ new partner.”
In an apparent punitive move following the swearing in of a Palestinian unity government, Israel has revoked special travel permits for all Palestinian Authority officials other than President Mahmoud Abbas, a Palestinian official said Tuesday.Congressional Moves to Stop PA Aid Gain Momentum
Israel was also revoking free travel rights for members of the outgoing Palestinian government who were not appointed to the Hamas-Fatah unity government and would examine restrictions on other Palestinians with VIP travel passes, said Yoav Mordechai, who heads the Israeli military unit tasked with coordinating activity in the West Bank and Gaza.
Criticism from the Hill was even more emphatic, and Al Monitor went so far as to suggest that the Fatah-Hamas deal was potentially the “last straw for Congress on U.S. aid to [the] Palestinians.”US Jewish groups cast PA unity as rejection of peace
“The Administration must halt aid to the Palestinian Authority and condition any future assistance as leverage to force Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas] to abandon this reconciliation with Hamas and to implement real reforms within the PA,” Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs panel on the Middle East, said in a statement. “U.S. law is clear on the prohibition of U.S. assistance to a unity Palestinian government that includes Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and President [Barack] Obama must not allow one cent of American taxpayer money to help fund this terrorist group.”
Her Democratic counterpart on the subcommittee, Ted Deutch of Florida, issued a similar warning. “President Abbas now stands at a pivotal crossroad — does he want peace with Israel or reconciliation with Hamas?” Deutch said. “Be certain that the Palestinian Authority will face significant consequences if a unity government is formed that includes terrorist members of Hamas.”
The Conference of Presidents leaders wrote that “United States law prohibits funding to a Palestinian government in which Hamas participates. We, therefore, support the calls by members of Congress from both parties to review US aid to the Palestinian Authority and to assure that the law is appropriately implemented.”Israeli Defense Officials Unfazed By Palestinian Unity Pact
Similarly, AIPAC wrote in its statement that “US law is clear – no funds can be provided to a Palestinian government in which Hamas participates or has undue influence. We now urge Congress to conduct a thorough review of continued US assistance to the Palestinian Authority to ensure that the law is completely followed and implemented.
Americans Peace Now also described the interim government as “a promising and much-needed step toward unifying not only Palestinian political factions but also the two territorial components of the Palestinian polity: The West Bank and the Gaza Strip.”
“Such unity is vital for empowering the Palestinian leadership to credibly conduct negotiations with Israel and to reliably implement a future peace agreement,” the organization wrote in a statement in which it also called on the Obama administration, the Israeli government and the international community “to determine their relations with this new Palestinian government based on its positions and actions, rather than using Hamas’ participation in its formation as pretext to reject it.”
Currently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces coordinate security activities, enabling more effective counter-riot and counter-terrorism activities.The government is unified, but the Palestinians aren’t
The coordination is based on the premise that stability in the West Bank serves both Israel and the PA, irrespective of diplomatic clashes between them and the status of the peace process.
The Fatah-Hamas unity agreement, brokered in April, led to a collapse of peace talks, and to a diplomatic clash between Jerusalem and Ramallah, but on the ground, the IDF and the Palestinian Authority’s security forces continue to cooperate with one another.
“So long as there are no changes on the ground, the agreement does not matter from a security perspective,” a senior Israeli defense source said in recent days.
The makeup of the government also shows how well Abbas managed to tie Hamas’s hands. All the central ministries were handed to Abbas cronies. (At the last minute, Abbas agreed to let the Ministry of Prisoner Affairs remain, under Shuki al-Issa.) No Hamas (or Fatah) members will sit in the new government, and it will recognize Israel and past agreements as well as renouncing violence and terror.Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Steps Down
So far, Abbas got everything he asked for. So why did Hamas agree to the deal? Because it is on the verge of bankruptcy. Its financial and public standing shaky, it can now spin its relinquishing of power as a step “in the name of unity.”
But Hamas did not give up any power or authority — just government. The group expects to see the results in the voting booth, even though both sides have sounded pessimistic that elections for parliament and president will actually take place within the next six months as scheduled.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his "cabinet" in Gaza have resigned, Hamas spokeswoman Israa al-Mudallal said, "paving the way for the new ministers of the consensus government."Palestinian Government Sworn In, At (satire)
Haniyeh welcomed the new cabinet as "a government of one people and one political system."
"We're leaving the government, but not the nation. We're leaving the ministries but not the question of the nation," Haniyeh said in a televised speech.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas introduced the new unity government with Hamas today at a ceremony where the Hamas and Fatah ministers swore to fulfill their duties, while Israel just plain swore.Brussels Jewish Museum shooting suspect – lessons for Europe
A festive atmosphere pervaded the government compound, where leaders from the rival factions put on a show for the cameras and the international community, promising a new era in intra-Palestinian governance, letting bygones be bygones and seeking to make Israel begone. Speakers invoked poetic descriptions of fraternity between Hamas and Fatah, two militant groups that warred in 2007, while Israel attempted to ward off the legitimacy of the unity government.
The truth is that by now, after over a decade of terror attacks and plots, from Madrid to Manchester, these lessons ought merely to be confirmed: but many people are still reluctant to accept them.French PM sounds alarm over citizen jihadists
For now, the most important lessons appear to be very obvious:
- Europeans (including hundreds of Britons) who travel overseas to fight Jihad pose a potentially deadly terrorist threat upon their return here.
- The lack of internal European border controls makes it easy for radicals and weaponry to travel throughout the continent.
- Comparisons of European Jihadists with International Brigade fighters of the Spanish Civil War are misguided, dangerous nonsense.
- Those who rushed to claim that these killings were somehow not what they appeared (such as supposed brilliant intellectual Tariq Ramadan) should have kept their biases to themselves.
- Even if some west European commentators and politicians want to keep hiding from the ramifications of each successive Jihadist terrorist attack and plot, their local Jewish communities can have no such luxury.
France on Tuesday increased its estimate of the number of its nationals embroiled in Syria’s civil war to more than 800 and warned that they pose an unprecedented security threat.Teenage killer of IDF soldier convicted of murder
The warning, from Prime Minister Manuel Valls, followed the weekend arrest of Mehdi Nemmouche, a French jihadist suspected of carrying out last week’s Brussels Jewish Museum killings after spending a year fighting in Syria.
The teenager, a West Bank resident, planned to kill a soldier and bought a knife prior to the attack, the court said. His sentence is to be handed down at a later date.Security forces shoot dead Palestinian gunman
The court did not release the killer’s identity due to his age. The 16-year-old, from the West Bank city of Jenin, was indicted in December.
Atias was asleep on the bus when he was stabbed multiple times by his attacker, who had crossed the Green Line from the West Bank without a permit prior to the attack and was arrested immediately after it.
A Palestinian terrorist armed with a handgun arrived at Tapuah Junction, in the northern West Bank, on Monday and opened fire at security forces in the area guarding a checkpoint.Stealth Boats For Special Forces Delivered to Israel
Border Police and an IDF soldier who were at the checkpoint stormed the attacker, firing at him as they went. The attacker was killed in the return fire.
A Border Policeman was slightly injured in his leg in the gun battle, and paramedics rushed him to the Beilinson Medical Center in Petah Tikva, where his condition is said by doctors to be good.
A special forces "delivery, extraction, and reconnaissance" boat called the "Alligator" has been revealed and "delivered to Israel."Saudis Deepening Coordination with Israel as U.S. Allies Face Growing Iran Threat
The boat has a "very low radar cross-section" and has been seen "patrolling up and down the Columbia River [by] Portland and Vancouver" for testing.
According to Foxtrot Alpha, the Alligator is a "low slung" vessel that has "the ability to lower its draft to the point where the cabin windows sit right above the waterline via flooring ballast tanks located on each side and below the boat's main cabin." This means "the boat [is] not only hard to spot on radar but... is also challenging to spot visually."
Iran has become the “the new priority” for Saudi Arabia in orienting itself toward Israel, replacing the Palestinian issue that had for decades been emphasized by Riyadh as having prominence, according to a not wholly sympathetic account of the shift published Thursday by London School of Economics professor Madawi Al-Rasheed.Saudi Arabia Slams Hezbollah with First Round of Sanctions
She outlined a range of rhetorical and theological resources that Saudi leaders have at their disposal for justifying warmer ties with the Jewish state. The article is the latest in what has become regular analysis describing how Gulf countries are consolidating internally and bolstering their flanks as a ‘new normal’ takes hold in the Middle East: a northern Shiite crescent from Lebanon to Iran, opposite a camp of Washington’s traditional Arab and Israeli allies, opposite an axis of Turkey, the Muslim Brotherhood, and often Qatar.
English-language Arabic media outlets on Thursday conveyed reports that Saudi Arabia had officially implemented the Kingdom’s first financial sanctions against Hezbollah, months after the Saudis – along with allies inside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - had designated the Iran-backed terror group and committed to moving against its financial assets:Islamists Torch Christian-Owned Shops in Southern Egypt
"The Saudi Interior Ministry withdrew the business license of a Lebanese national with ties to Hezbollah, part of a larger campaign to crack down on the financial activities of the Lebanese militia in Saudi Arabia, a source told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The Interior Ministry will also beef up its security procedures surrounding the issuance of financial and commercial licenses, in a move targeting Hezbollah’s commercial and financial activities in the Kingdom, the source added."
A mob of Islamists burned several Christian-owned shops in a wave of violence directed against Christians in southern Egypt near the ancient city of Luxor.Top Egyptian TV comic says show pulled off air
The attack came just hours before the start of a trial for a young Christian man who is facing blasphemy charges over a series of Internet postings, The Associated Press reported.
Egypt's top TV satirist said on Monday his show had been canceled, amid speculation it was because his latest script poked fun at a presidential election won by the former army chief.
Bassem Youssef, known as the "Egyptian Jon Stewart", told a news conference the Saudi-owned MBC Masr TV station had been put under more pressure "than it could handle".
Last week's presidential election was won easily by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the man who, as army chief, toppled Egypt's first freely-elected leader, Islamist Mohamed Mursi, last year.
"The pressures have been made from the first episode and MBC Masr had fought for us as much as possible," said Youssef.