Lacking a plan, Abbas opts for rhetoric

Abbas has staked his decade-long presidency on the pursuit of an independent Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel. But he seems out of ideas after another failed round of talks that collapsed in April, a war that boosted the popularity of the rival Hamas, and a bumpy attempt to win new recognition at the United Nations.

Fiery rhetoric is an easy way to appeal to his public at a time when many Palestinians believe Israel is not serious about negotiating a partition deal that would end half a century of Israeli military occupation.

Yet Abbas has also carefully avoided any steps that would irreversibly harm his relationship with Israel.

The disconnect between words and action was on jarring display over the weekend when Abbas’ security forces beat West Bank protesters marching in support of a Muslim-run holy site that is widely perceived by Palestinians to be under threat of a Jewish takeover.

 

Read More: Lacking a plan, Abbas opts for rhetoric – Israel News, Ynetnews