UN-Truth

I think they mean until the next elections…right?

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) himself set the elections for January 24 [throwing down the gauntlet to Hamas at a critical moment in the Egyptian-mediated efforts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas -- something which Israel and the U.S., at least, do not really want].

Now, those elections seem to have been postponed indefinitely, too (though some reported rumors mentioned a date of June 28…)

In the interview that Abu Mazen gave to Haaretz, which was published today here , he gave the following clarifications about his position: “When asked if he would run for reelection, Abbas said: ‘No. That is my final position. It is neither tactics nor maneuvering’. Although he said he respects the position of Fatah, which has asked him to stay in office, Abbas said that ‘if I can’t reach my goals I see no reason to hold on to my chair. If there is progress in talks, that will be welcome. But if elections take place before talks resume, I will not be running’.”

That seems to offer some wiggle room — does it mean that if talks resume before elections take place, Abu Mazen will reconsider? And, if that’s what he meant, that would suggest that his decision to resign intended as pressure on Israel (and Obama) — and not on his Palestinian critics and rivals…

The New York Times reported that “Neither Mr. Abbas nor the PLO’s Central Council, which met on Tuesday and Wednesday in the West Bank city of Ramallah, has announced a new date for elections. The council’s decision also extends the term of the Palestinian Authority’s parliament, although it is not functioning now because of the split between Fatah and Hamas. Hamas rejected the Central Council’s formula, saying its decisions were ‘illegal’ and a subversion of democracy. Mr. Abbas’s future is uncertain at a time when many Palestinians are losing faith in the idea of a negotiated peace deal with Israel … A few weeks ago, Mr. Abbas issued a decree for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held on Jan. 24. But Palestinian election officials subsequently said the voting could not be held because Hamas, the Islamic group that controls Gaza, would not allow them to begin preparations for the elections there”. [And, as we have reported earlier, Abbas immediately agreed with the views of the Palestinian elections officials...] This NYTimes piece, by Isabelle Kershner, can be read in full here.

Filed under: Palestine & Palestinians