Ramallah – Two senior Palestinian officials have lashed out at the U.S. ambassador in Israel for reportedly warning that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could become irrelevant if he keeps shunning the U.S. as a Mideast broker.
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In comments reported by the Israeli media, David Friedman said that if Abbas is not interested in negotiating, “I am sure somebody else will” and that “vacuums tend to be filled.”
A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. It was unclear if Friedman’s remarks, if confirmed, represent U.S. policy.
Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh said Thursday that the remarks constitute a “blatant interference in Palestinian affairs.” Another aide, Ahmed Majdalani, dismissed them as an “empty threat.”
Abbas suspended ties after President Donald Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December.
Anyone know why the Palestinians are unwilling to talk?
There is a reality that is being denied by Palestinians. Abbas is irrelevant. No one seems to know much about how his leadership fares internally. Regarding foreign affairs, he is complete waste of protoplasm. He has nothing to cite for accomplishments. Yes, he did command terror, and that he still does. But useful? Not a bit. There is no peace because he won’t abandon terror, recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and he won’t make a single concession of any kind in his pursuit of “peace”. Bottom line, he is useless. And vacuums tend to be filled. We just need to daven that he gets replaced or succeeded by someone that possesses basic human morals and some knowledge of politics.
In reality, Trump or the ambassador have nothing to do with Abbas’ relevance.