Will They Ever Wise Up To Abbas?

Fortunately, Abbas is careless about hiding what he really thinks when he speaks in Arabic. Even more fortunate is the fact that Palestinian Media Watch exists to record and translate what Abbas really means.

Joel Mowbray writes about some of the recent comments of the moderate Arab leader who is now Israel's peace partner. Here are the key Abbas quotes :

(1) "In an interview with Jordanian newspaper Al-Dastur last week, Mr. Abbas spoke with pride of violence he had waged in his past, suggested that terrorism could start anew in the future, and essentially backed away from repeated statements that he “recognizes” Israel's right to exist. "

The US Congress seems somewhat uncomfortable about a peace partner who brags about his terrorist past and expresses an easy willingness to return to it.

(2) "Appearing much less careful than when speaking in English, Mr. Abbas last week told the Arabic-language Al-Dastur, “I was honored to be the one to shoot the first bullet in 1965,” the year his organization, Fatah, initiated terrorism against Israel. (Transcript provided by PMW.) The renowned “moderate” Palestinian leader then explained his pride in “having taught resistance to many in this area and around the world ... including Hezbollah, who were trained in [PLO] camps.”

At least Mr. Abbas stated an opposition to terrorism, noting, “Now we are against armed conflict.” His reasoning, though, is what troubles Congress: “because we are unable.” Possibly hinting at a shift in strategies, he immediately added, “In the future stages, things may be different.”"

Abbas the pragmatist has consistently rejected outright terrorism purely on the basis of whether it is effective.

(3) "Most concerning to Congress, however, was a statement that at first blush might seem relatively innocuous. Discussing the question of whether or not Hamas must “recognize” Israel, Mr. Abbas explained, “I don't demand that the Hamas movement recognize Israel. I only demanded of the [Palestinian] national unity government that would work opposite Israel in recognition of it.”"

As Mowbray points out, Abbas has completely redefined what "recognition" means as a diplomatic term--no longer does it refer to the acknowledgement of the right of Israel to exist peacefully as a Jewish state alongside a Palestinian state--

Instead Mr. Abbas, however, now defines “recognition” as acknowledging in a literal sense that an entity named “Israel” is the country at the other end of the negotiating table.

You have to wonder if the majority of Europe does not concur with Abbas' definition.

(4) "Defending his “recognition” of Israel on TV network Al-Arabiya in October 2006, he explained that it was more a practical reality than a meaningful political position. He cited as an example the need for the PA to get $500 million from Israel: “The Palestinian finance minister has to come to an agreement with the Israeli finance minister about the transfer of the money. So how can he make an agreement with him if [the PA finance minister] does not recognize him? So 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.”"

So Abbas' approach to peace negotiations with Israel amount to nothing more than "Show me the money!"--and President Bush appears only too happy to oblige him. As it stands, Mowbray believes that even with Abbas' gaffes, in the short run Abbas is going to get that money.

The larger question is whether with everything that is revealed about Abbas when he speaks in Arabic--is he going to get a state as well?

[Hat tip: Powerline]

Technorati Tag: Abbas.