Is Abbas Finally Climbing Backing Down From Seeking UN Recognition? At What Cost?

Apparently the Palestinian Authority is not as independent of influence of the US as it thought--Abbas is ready to deal on its quest for UN recognition, in return for the resumption of US/Israeli funding:

The Palestinian Authority has offered the United States a deal, saying it would freeze all moves to achieve full membership for "Palestine" in various UN agencies until the end of January, while the United States and Israel would resume transferring it funds.

But that is not to say that Abbas and the Palestinian Authority would put a complete stop to the process they started:

According to a European diplomat whom the PA had updated about the proposal, the PA plans to complete the process of trying to get full UN membership for Palestine recognized by the Security Council. PA President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to ask for a vote by the end of December, although the move is doomed to defeat. Even if the Palestinians muster enough votes, the United States will veto it.

Other than that, however, the Palestinians are prepared to suspend their efforts to achieve full membership in such agencies as the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization, the diplomat said. Nor will they ask the General Assembly to upgrade their observer status to non-member observer state.

Though the Palestinians offered to temporarily suspend these UN efforts, if a deal is struck that restores the PA's cash flow, it is thought such moves will be stopped for the foreseeable future.

While the possibility of ending this process is a good thing to the extent that it puts a stop to the Arab end-around negotiations, this major caving by the Palestinian Authority after all of its tough talk can only cause it to lose more credibility vis-a-vis Hamas.

How much for do I hear for the last remnants of  Fatah's self respect?
Going, going....

Hamas will only gain from this--and if a unity government between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority does in fact become a reality, can there be any doubt which side would be the stronger?

When there was discussion of how Abbas could climb down after insisting on going the UN route, backing down like this was not one of the most better options.

Also, where is Saudi Arabia?
They can't be too happy to see Abbas back down like this, giving more credibility to Iran-backed Hamas.
Why doesn't Saudi Arabia step in and supply the missing funding?

Has Abbas turned off his Arab backers that badly with this latest venture?

Hat tip: Challah Hu Akbar

Technorati Tag: Palestine and UN and Abbas .