Mahmoud Abbas

An Israeli View: Criminal neglect

There can be little doubt that Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu won the first round of Israeli-Palestinian engagement with the Obama administration--and that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas lost. Netanyahu executed a partial and problematic settlement construction freeze "balanced" by settlement provocations in Jerusalem and elsewhere. He was rewarded with US support for his readiness to open negotiations while his right-wing coalition stood behind him. Abbas misread American promises and assurances regarding the freeze and the Goldstone report.

Abbas’ Proposal for an Undeclared Settlement Freeze: Transparent Ploy or Plea for Help?

INSS Insight No. 151, December 20, 2009

In an interview with Haaretz on December 15, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas repeated his longstanding position that Israeli-Palestinian negotiations can only resume after Israel implements a complete freeze on settlement construction throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. But in a new wrinkle that might have been intended as a sign of flexibility, he added that negotiations could begin immediately, even if the freeze is not publicly declared.

Prisoner exchange not an alternative to negotiations

AMMAN - If the Islamic movement Hamas succeeds in obtaining the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many with long-term sentences, it will, no doubt, complicate the delicate attempts to reach a negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Such an accomplishment will prove that those who use violence can produce better results than those—like President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad—who rely on non-violent negotiated means to achieve the liberation of land and prisoners.

Crisis in the Palestinian Authority

INSS Insight No. 143, November 24, 2009

The failure of the American effort to restart the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over the final settlement has created a political crisis in the Palestinian Authority. On November 5, PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced that he does not intend to run in the general presidential and Legislative Council elections scheduled for January 2010. Abbas’ announcement may reflect a real political crisis liable to lead to the collapse of the PA, or a tactic designed to put pressure on the United States and Israel.

US attempts to assuage Palestinian concerns

Laura Rozen reported yesterday on a shift in the U.S. administration's statements on movements on the Israeli and Palestinian fronts toward renewing the peace process. She quotes Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Bill Burns as saying:

To Freeze or not to Freeze

President Obama’s moves on Israeli settlements seem a bit puzzling. For much of the year, the United States was pressing for a freeze. Then it seemed to let up a bit. At the United Nations on September 23, 2009, Obama called on the Palestinians “to end incitement against Israel.” But he did not call on Israel to freeze or end settlement expansion.

An Israeli View: From settlement freeze to baby steps

The Obama administration tried to jump start the Israel-Arab peace process and inject new energy into additional areas of US activity in the Middle East by instituting a settlement freeze in the West Bank. Regardless of the words Obama's people have chosen to soften the impact, this initiative has failed. The immediate fallout is the apparent resignation of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and an inability to get final status negotiations moving again.

A Palestinian View: Settlement construction contradicts negotiations

The issues of Israeli settlement activity and the need for a settlement construction freeze are again at the top of the political agenda.

Abu Mazen says decision not to run is final; other PA officials disagree

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced his decision yesterday that he would not run in the upcoming Palestinian elections.

Ma'ariv reports that Abbas emphasized the finality of his decision by saying in his speech, “I’ve announced my wish not to run again in the elections... This decision is not a bargaining position or a political maneuver.”

Some Palestinian Authority officials have stated that they believe Abbas is the only candidate for the elections, despite his announcement.

From Ma'ariv:

PA officials: Abu Mazen to announce decision not to seek another term

Reports are circulating in the press this morning over whether Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will announce a decision not to seek reelection in the Palestinian elections scheduled for January 24th.

Yedioth Ahronoth reports:

Until now Abu Mazen has threatened to resign unless the United States stepped up its pressure on Israel regarding a settlement construction freeze, and discussed this matter directly with President Obama.