Well, considering how shortly before this Abbas was getting run through the ringer as a probable Israeli tool and appeaser of Kuwait, I think he can be forgiven for some election-season flip-flops. You're talking about the first major Palestinian leader to argue that the right of return was meaningless because refugees' homes were no longer there, as well as the man who fought hard to get Muhammad Dahlan as his head of security - Dahlan being an advocate of disarming Palestinian militants and arguing that Israel's success owes a lot to an accountable leadership and not just American support.
That is the danger, but I still think the most important thing here is legitimacy. Abbas will win this election. However, the Palestinian Authority is a weak government, and if people don't like what it does, many can simply ignore it, as happened ever under Arafat on occasion. Abu Mazen is useless unless he convinces Palestinians he's a true leader in their national struggle and not just a corrupt Tunisian.
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Well, considering how shortly before this Abbas was getting run through the ringer as a probable Israeli tool and appeaser of Kuwait, I think he can be forgiven for some election-season flip-flops. You're talking about the first major Palestinian leader to argue that the right of return was meaningless because refugees' homes were no longer there, as well as the man who fought hard to get Muhammad Dahlan as his head of security - Dahlan being an advocate of disarming Palestinian militants and arguing that Israel's success owes a lot to an accountable leadership and not just American support.
Well, he can try to please everybody, but eventually some groups will be sorely disappointed. I hope you turn out correct rather than disappointed.
That is the danger, but I still think the most important thing here is legitimacy. Abbas will win this election. However, the Palestinian Authority is a weak government, and if people don't like what it does, many can simply ignore it, as happened ever under Arafat on occasion. Abu Mazen is useless unless he convinces Palestinians he's a true leader in their national struggle and not just a corrupt Tunisian.
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