Abbas: We Don't Have To Actually Recognize Israel

From Arutz Sheva:

Abbas Tells US PA Will Recognize Israel, Says Opposite on PA TV
15:22 Oct 06, '06 / 14 Tishrei 5767
by Hana Levi Julian

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said this week he would ‘fire Hamas’ if the terror group won’t recognize Israel, but sang a different tune on PA TV.

Abbas convinced U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that he is sincere in his commitment to force the PA government to formally acknowledge the Jewish State’s right to exist, said the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) Thursday.

On PA TV, however, Abbas said “It is not required of Hamas, or of Fatah, or of the Popular Front to recognize Israel.” Abbas is the head of the Fatah party and terror organization, which is currently the minority faction in the PA legislature.

“I do not demand of Hamas nor any other to recognize Israel,” said Abbas in Arabic, “but from the government that works with Israelis in day to day life, yes.”

Rice said she was impressed with the PA leader’s political acumen after their meeting this week. “We have great admiration for you and your leadership,” she said, and committed the U.S. to “redouble efforts” to help PA Arabs.

The PMW is a watchdog organization that monitors Arabic-language media throughout the world and issues a report once a week on its findings.

To go to the PMW website and view the entire report, click here. [emphasis added]

Just what does that mean, when he says

“I do not demand of Hamas nor any other to recognize Israel,” said Abbas in Arabic, “but from the government that works with Israelis in day to day life, yes.”

Palestinian Media Watch has a quote that is much clearer:

Abbas said on PA TV that Hamas does not have to recognize Israel – nor does his own Fatah faction: “Hamas is not required to recognize Israel… It is not required of Hamas, or of Fatah, or of the Popular Front to recognize Israel.”

He went on to say that government officials must “recognize their counterparts” in order to “solve people’s problems,” indicating that this does not constitute an inherent recognition of Israel, just a functional recognition that allows the PA to get what it needs:

“I do not demand of Hamas nor any other to recognize Israel. But from the government that works with Israelis in day to day life, yes.” [emphasis added]

This is the 'moderate' leader that Rice wants to give weapons to.
With such naievete, the US deserves whatever they get from the Palestinian Arabs.
Unfortunately, it is Israel that pays the price.

Technorati Tag: Israel and Abbas.