Mahmoud Abbas: Would He Quit This Time?

Peace Process:

JERUSALEM -- Sometimes a quitter really does quit for good.

The Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, announced last week that he wouldn't run for re-election in the proposed January elections. Back when he was Yasser Arafat's deputy in the Palestine Liberation Organization, Abbas sulked off to his home in the Persian Gulf several times. As Arafat's prime minister, he quit in the middle of the intifada, accusing the Palestinian leader of undermining him and slamming the U.S. for failing to back him fully.

Read the whole story: Peace Process

Comments

[vascopyjama]

He was only ever a US / Israeli puppet so it doesn't really matter. He job was to drag things out as long as he could. Now we will just have to find someone else.

[BiggerBiggerPicture]

If Abbas seeks Palestinian statehood (67 border and East Jerusalem) through UN vote (peaceful means to achieve liberation), he deserves to get Nobel Peace Prize. It is as significant as the fall of Berlin Wall and South African Reconciliation. Obama would have no choice but to support it; otherwise, he would be considered a hyprocrite. The meaning of declaration of independence is INDEPENDENCE. There is no need to seek approval from the oppressor! The whole world should stand on the side of Palestinian. Do not go to UN Security Council because of US' veto power. Go through the UN General Assembly where most third world countries will support the idea; then go to the UN Security Council to force them accept the General Assembly's resolution. The Middle East problem has been with us for too long. It has wasted so human resources. The world should not be dragged down by Israel's selfishness and oppression. Stop waste time negotiating with Israel and waste time to rely on the US. If the Palestinians do not have the guts to declare independence, it is not worthy of our support. Do it and do it now!

[jamilk99]

Well his term expired on January 9, 2009 so it really shouldn't even matter if he "quits."

[califlefty]

Will he quit? I guess it all depends on how much interest his Swiss accounts are earning...the dollar is down.

[Paulo1]

Tempest in a Teapot.

Does it matter if he quits or not? Will Hamas suddenly become less militant or will its encroachment into Palestinian politics slow down either way?

Will Israel suddenly negotiate in good fair, stop settlements or reign it its terrorist settlers?

Nope. So it really doesn't matter does it? I am going back to searching for Levi pictures on the net till we come up with real news.

[GZLives]

Settlements?
Oh yeah like that's a real issue right?
Never was before

[larce1948]

Settlements? It is theft of land. That has always been the problem.

[BiggerBiggerPicture]

It is a perfect strategy to declare Palestinian state according the UN resolutions. There is no need for Israel to recognize it. Israel is just one country. There is really nothing to negotiate especially with a nation like Israel. Declare independence (with East Jeruselem as the capital), most of nations will recognize it. At least, try this route first. There is nothing to lose. It might be a good way to re-unite the Palestinian people and re-unite Arab and Muslim people as well. The Middle East conflict has been the source of global terrorism. Israel is very selfish in refusing the settle according the 1967 border (The Arab Peace Initiative). It drags the whole world down. The US is complacent in helping Israel at every turn (Palestinians' human rights do not seem to matter to US even though the situation is so much worse than Tibet).

[alfatu]

And go where???

[StCuthbert]

LOL, he quit in the middle of the Second Intifada? I didn't know that! No wonder he doesn't have any credibility among the Palestinians.

[Whinger]

Why not, he's been betrayed, humiliated made look very small in the eyes of his people!

And now America and Israel are sucking up wanting to talk to Hamas or any Arab that would give them the time of day. There should be no talking until the building of settlements permanently stop!

[skialethia]

Please do and let someone with the "bawls" to get in Netanyahu's face, and someone who doesn't sacrifice the rights of Palestinians for millions to fill Fatah's coffers take over!

Paging Dr. Barghouti.­....paging­...

[lightningbolt]

Barghouti? The murderer? What's he going to do? Murder more people?