Sunday October 16, 2005

I've Been Thinking:

The United States has determined that the only hope of any future deal for and with the Palestinians hinges on the stability of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

So, over the past few weeks, the United States has been sending messages to Israel stressing the importance of strengthening Abbas -in the eyes of his people and in world perception.

Israel has been getting the messages.
Israel has also been getting another message.
The Palestinians are telling Israel, plainly and bluntly, to Butt Out. The Palestinians maintain that Israel's interventions only strengthen Hamas. The Palestinians maintain that by attacking Hamas, Israel is turning Hamas into a stronger force.

Here is the dilemma: Abbas has neither taken nor assumed any position of strength. Abbas waits things out, he is a fence sitter, he is not fast acting and daring. It makes no difference what the United States wants, Abbas will only become strong if he acts. And Israel wants Abbas to act against Hamas.

It is true that Israel can weaken Abbas.
But the only person who can strengthen Abbas, is Abbas.