UNDERSTANDING FATAH: It isn't as if it should be that difficult. Just take Barry Rubin's simple test:

In understanding the Fatah world view let's try a simple test. You are a
Fatah official. You receive money. What do you do with it? Answer: put it
into your foreign bank account. Why? Because aside from pure greed and a
mentality of corruption, you are afraid that Hamas will take over the West
Bank, too. You will need a bankroll so that you and your family can flee
abroad and live comfortably, very comfortably.

OK, so what about Abbas himself--never a particularly adept or competent leader, who from the beginning has seemed to be perpetually dependent on Israeli concessions in order to survive.

As for Abbas, he is a loser and only if he is replaced can one even begin to believe in Fatah's survival. He is the closest thing in the Palestinian movement to a French intellectual, not the kind of person you would like to have by your side in a knife fight.

Consider his first two decisions. Who did Abbas make prime minister?
Muhammad Dahlan, who has been warning about the Hamas threat for more than
five years, or some other warrior? No, Salam Fayyad, a professional
economist. Why, does Abbas intend to launch a major development and
anti-poverty campaign? No, it's because Fayyad, an honest and experience
guy it is true, but certainly no wartime consigliore.

In addition, he has refused to outlaw Hamas on the West Bank. Perhaps he
hopes for reconciliation? Or wants to avoid a confrontation on his remaining
turf? If Abbas is thinking like a European Union bureaucrat he is really
doomed.

OK, so what is there for Israel--or the West, for that matter--to do, seeing that not working with Fatah seems not to be an option?

So, all right, work with Fatah but have no illusions or expectations. And don't give something for nothing.

Somehow, it's that last item that seems to be the hardest part.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Saturday that a new emergency Palestinian government, due to be sworn in Sunday, would be a partner for peace in negotiations with Israel.

Technorati Tag: Israel and Fatah and Abbas and Gaza.