Hope Abbas stays pro-resistance say

ME analyst, Ahmad Kazemzadeh:

The Palestinian Authority Head Mahmoud Abbas in a UNGA address a few days ago called Israel “genocidal,” “anti-peace,” and “racist.” Abbas also expounded on the criminal record of Israel in the occupied lands, including its 51-day war on Gaza and said: “we will not forget, we will not forgive, and we will not allow war criminals to escape punishment.”

Abbas also appreciated the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and congratulated “all those who defended human values and sought freedom and justice in the name of Palestine.”

Abbas’ rhetoric was totally different from those of the past to the extent that it triggered anger on the part of the Zionist and American authorities, including the Zionist regime’s foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman who likened Abbas to Yasser Arafat and called him a “diplomatic terrorist.” Lieberman actually threatened Abbas of a similar fate as that of Arafat.

Question would rise as to which motivations Abbas have had in adopting the different approach. Two factors may come to mind. For one thing, Abbas one time thought his talks with Israel would bear fruits if he adopts a sincere position. Abbas even once criticized Arafat for his supporting of the al-Aqsa Intifada. He however sees himself in the square one even after 21 years of negotiations while being left with not card on his side to use as a lever against Israel.

The 21-year fruitless talks nevertheless gave Israel an exceptional opportunity to advance its creeping occupation in Palestine by expanding its settlements in the West Bank area. The failure of the talks seems to be a major motivation for Abbas to make the UNGA remarks.

Abbas was also encouraged by the ongoing trend of national reconciliation with Hamas as well as the victory of the Palestinian resistance in the 51-day war on Gaza. The Palestinian Authority would t