Zou dit een manier zijn om extra druk op de internationale gemeenschap uit te oefenen om de Palestijnen hun zin te geven? Abbas zegt immers:
Abbas said the Palestinians were optimistic over what appeared to be US President Barack Obama's efforts to hold Israel accountable, but were ultimately left disappointed.
His announcement came days after the PLO was left stunned when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised as unprecedented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to limit temporary construction in West Bank settlements to 3,000 additional housing units.
His announcement came days after the PLO was left stunned when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised as unprecedented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to limit temporary construction in West Bank settlements to 3,000 additional housing units.
Overigens heeft Clinton deze opmerking alweer afgezwakt, maar de verschuiving van de VS naar een wat kritischer houding tegenover de Palestijnen was Abbas blijkbaar teveel. Het kan natuurlijk ook zijn dat hij sowieso van plan was te stoppen, en alleen even een geschikte aanleiding afwachtte, of dat het mislukken van de eenheidsbesprekingen met Hamas de belangrijkste reden is. Immers, vrede lijkt minstens zozeer door de Hamas overname van de Gazastrook te worden belemmerd als door de voortgaande bouw in de nederzettingen, zo niet meer.
"Palestinians should "refocus their attention on the one-state solution where Muslims, Christians and Jews can live as equals," Erekat said. "It is very serious. This is the moment of truth for us "
Natuurlijk kunnen moslims, christenen en Joden in zo'n staat niet als gelijken leven. Joden en moslims zullen om de macht strijden en de verliezer zal in het beste geval een minderheidspositie hebben zoals de Arabieren nu in Israel, maar voor de Joden zou dat waarschijnlijk niet zijn weggelegd. Er is geen enkele Arabische staat waar de positie van Joden gelijkwaardig is. Erekat weet dat waarschijnlijk best, en zegt dit voor propaganda redenen. Een dergelijke opmerking zal het vertrouwen in Israel niet vergroten en de vrede niet dichterbij brengen.
RP
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Abbas: I will not seek second term
Published today (updated) 05/11/2009 21:41
Bethlehem - Ma'an - President Mahmoud Abbas announced in Ramallah on Thursday that he would not be seeking a second term.
Confirming rumors about his impending retirement, Abbas said the decision came amid Israel's intransigence on settlements and the international community's indifference.
"I have informed the Fatah Central Committee and the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee that I will not seek a second term during the upcoming elections," he said in a televised address. "I hope they understand my position."
Abbas said the Palestinians were optimistic over what appeared to be US President Barack Obama's efforts to hold Israel accountable, but were ultimately left disappointed.
His announcement came days after the PLO was left stunned when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised as unprecedented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to limit temporary construction in West Bank settlements to 3,000 additional housing units.
The continued expansion of Israeli settlements could force Palestinians to abandon the notion of a state in the West Bank and Gaza, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said a day before Abbas' remarks. It may be time for Abbas to "tell his people the truth, that with the continuation of settlement activities, the two-state solution is no longer an option," he said.
Israel has refused to comply with previous obligations to dismantle settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, and rejected calls from its close ally the US for a temporary freeze as a step toward relaunching peace negotiations.
Palestinians should "refocus their attention on the one-state solution where Muslims, Christians and Jews can live as equals," Erekat said. "It is very serious. This is the moment of truth for us."
Confirming rumors about his impending retirement, Abbas said the decision came amid Israel's intransigence on settlements and the international community's indifference.
"I have informed the Fatah Central Committee and the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee that I will not seek a second term during the upcoming elections," he said in a televised address. "I hope they understand my position."
Abbas said the Palestinians were optimistic over what appeared to be US President Barack Obama's efforts to hold Israel accountable, but were ultimately left disappointed.
His announcement came days after the PLO was left stunned when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised as unprecedented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to limit temporary construction in West Bank settlements to 3,000 additional housing units.
The continued expansion of Israeli settlements could force Palestinians to abandon the notion of a state in the West Bank and Gaza, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said a day before Abbas' remarks. It may be time for Abbas to "tell his people the truth, that with the continuation of settlement activities, the two-state solution is no longer an option," he said.
Israel has refused to comply with previous obligations to dismantle settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, and rejected calls from its close ally the US for a temporary freeze as a step toward relaunching peace negotiations.
Palestinians should "refocus their attention on the one-state solution where Muslims, Christians and Jews can live as equals," Erekat said. "It is very serious. This is the moment of truth for us."
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