Palestine: Abbas Remains President
December 16th, 2009 by Zack
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has extended until further notice the tenure of President Mahmoud Abbas. The term of the Legislative Council, which hasn’t met since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, was also extended until elections could be scheduled. The PLO also refused to resume negotiations with Israel until settlement construction is permanently frozen.
Jonathan Tobin argues that such preconditions for dialogue are a stall tactic employed by the Palestinians to avoid internal conflict, while the world continues to condemn Israeli PM Netanyahu as the roadblock to negotiations. Evelyn Gordon concurs and believes this tactic has been constantly successful for the PLO.
Ray Hanania recommends two new strategies for the peace process: immediately declare a Palestinian state alongside Israel and establish a “Settler-Refugee Exchange Program” that would return most settlements to Palestine and exchange land for those settlements Israel wishes to keep. In exchange, Palestinians would surrender their Right of Return. Mustafa Barghouthi also supports definitive action as he calls on the European foreign minister to press Palestinian rights immediately and for non-violent Palestinian movements to receive better support from the West. He argues that the collapse of a two-state solution will “only lead to a new struggle for equal rights, within one state […] There comes a time when people cannot take injustice any more, and this time has come to Palestine.”
At BitterLemons, Yossi Alpher argues that Abbas should recognize the validity of the settlement freeze to enter immediate peace negotiations and to pressure Netanyahu to make real long-term concessions to the Palestinians. Ghassan Khatib, however, sees the settlement freeze as a public relations gimmick that offers no real progress and he calls on the international community to pressure Israel for change, both politically and through efforts such as Britain’s attempt to label products from settler communities.
Aluf Benn writes in an op-ed that President Obama has adopted a “realist manifesto” that informs his belief in a gradual peace process, will push him to go beyond his insistence on a settlement freeze, and will eventually lead him to support direct dialogue with Hamas.
Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Public Opinion, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »
Palestine: PLO to Extend Abbas’ Term
December 15th, 2009 by Jason
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced he will seek a U.N. resolution defining the Palestinian territories based on the 1967 borders. Rejecting a return to violence, Abbas also said he would resume peace talks if Israel institutes a settlement freeze “for a specific period” and recognizes the 1967 borders as the outline for a Palestinian state. His speech came at the launch of a two-day meeting of the PLO, which will likely result in the extension of Abbas’ presidential term in lieu of cancelled elections.
Hamas has declared any extension illegitimate. In fact, yesterday Hamas celebrated the 22-year anniversary of its founding. During the festivities, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya declared “We will never give up on Palestine from the river to the sea.”
Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Parties, United Nations | Comment »
Report: Human Rights on the Decline Part II
December 12th, 2009 by Jason
As we reported earlier, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) has released a comprehensive and thorough report, called “Bastion of Impunity, Mirage of Reform,” on the state of human rights throughout the Arab world. The full report in Arabic spans 254 pages and chronicles in detail the backsliding on human rights in the region while also identifying a few points of optimism. In addition to the full report, CIHRS has released a translation of the report’s introduction written by their general director, Bahey eldin Hassan, as well as a 21-page summary of the report in English.
According to Hassan’s introduction, while there have been important strides to “ease repressive measures” in the Middle East under the Forum of the Future regional initiative, in no country were there “real constitutional, legislative, or institutional gains that could upset the balance of power between authoritarian regimes and the forces of reform.” Hassan blames this failure on the narrow focus on electoral reform at the expense of human rights, the contradictory actions of the G-8 countries, attempts by the Arab League to co-opt reform with their own homegrown initiatives, and the European and American fear of Islamist electoral victories. Finally, Hassan contends “the last spark in the initiatives was quashed once and for all with the arrival of a new US administration” apparently unwilling to support democracy rhetorically.
Now, Hassan warns that the minor gains made over the past five years are under a “counterattack by Arab governments. Among other examples of backtracking, the Arab league disabled the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which only had 10 of 22 signatory countries to begin with. As with the CIHRS report last year, Hassan concludes that “lack of political will on the part of most regimes in the Arab region was the key to understanding and explaining chronic human rights problems in the region.”
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Palestine: Jerusalem as Dual Capital
December 9th, 2009 by Zack
Laura Rozen reports that foreign ministers in Europe have issued a joint statement saying that “a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states,” calling on the Israeli government to “to cease all discriminatory treatment of Palestinians in East Jerusalem.” However the move did drop a Swedish proposal that explicitly supported East Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital (see our post). Al-Arabiyya goes on to explain that Europeans will not “recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders,” thereby refusing to recognize Israel’s right to occupy the area.” The Arabist has a post detailing the political wrangling that went on in order to soften the statement about Jerusalem.
Foreign Policy relays an Israel official’s response to the idea: “The peace process in the Middle East is not like IKEA furniture.” But the magazine argues the Swedish draft was not taken directly from the Fatah platform, but is a composition of ongoing efforts. At the same time, Al-Arabiyya writes that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is disappointed about the watered down language, arguing that “the Swedish draft was a good draft because it put in clear cut terms the issue of East Jerusalem. Then came the final, vague form.”
MotherJones has run an article chronicling a non-violent resistance movement in the West Bank village of Jayyous, where the Israeli separation barrier has cut off the village from much of its agriculture.
In Lebanon, Abbas underscored the idea that Palestinian refugees are subject to Lebanese laws and explained that “If Hamas persists in its refusal to allow the [presidential and parliamentary] polls to take place in Gaza, I will not agree to the vote in the West Bank.”
Posted in Diplomacy, EU, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine | Comment »
Palestine: Building a State and Religious Tolerance
November 25th, 2009 by Zack
Ha’aretz reports Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to announce that the country will institute a 10-month freeze on settlement building. At the same, time the paper reports that Marwan Barghouti intends to run in the next Palestinian election. He also stated that the abduction of Gilad Shalit has brought Hamas more political progress than any negotiations could ever achieve, commenting “maybe Israel will finally understand that Hamas’ demands cannot be ignored.”
In an editorial for The Washington Times, Louis Rene Beres argues that the Palestinian attempts to declare a state are “absurd” and any state would negatively impact U.S. strategic interests, particularly the development of a comprehensive nuclear strategy and a conventional war strategy, ultimately impacting unfavorably on world peace and security.
Lastly, the Daily News Egypt has two pieces on reducing religious prejudices. The first, by Fr. Jamal Khader, tells of Bethlehem University’s religious education program designed to allow students to express their faiths while educating them about other traditions in the hope of creating greater tolerance. Muli Peleg argues that freedom of religion in “Israel and Palestine is not merely a democratic perk or a liberal indulgence but a prerequisite for the survival of both peoples in this troubled land.” While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stemmed from politics, religion has come to dominate and fuel the situation. Peleg argues the two groups must “defuse the ticking bomb by legitimizing greater choice of religious convictions” within their territories.
Posted in Diplomacy, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »
Palestine: Questioning a Future State
November 24th, 2009 by Zack
With Mahmoud Abbas’ confirmation that the Palestinian vote will be postponed, commentators are questioning the validity of an independent Palestine as well as the entire peace process. Daoud Kuttab argues the lack of discussion around an Abbas successor indicates the “presidency of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has become irrelevant” and that ”Palestinian frustration with the political process has rendered suspect the entire rationale behind the PA.” Kuttab goes on to list a few possible candidates, but he feels the coming months will show if Palestine is moving into an era of post-Oslo politics. In another article, Kuttab argues that the situation has changed since Oslo and that a universal declaration of Palestine statehood should go much farther to “best reflect minimal Palestinian requirements” and it could create a new dynamic within the peace process.
Ha’aretz has an article discussing Abbas’ support for a popular resistance to occupation along the lines of the Na’alin and Bil’in protests as a means to progress negotiations with Israel. Fadi Elsalameen argues that Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has raised the bar of competent leadership in Palestine, changing the entire style of leadership, and that the international community needs to directly support this shift that will eventually deliver a Palestinian state.
Lastly, Ha’aretz reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is downplaying expectations of transfer deal for Gilad Shalit. The report claims that Hamas is preparing to conduct the exchange after Eid al-Adha, but that Fatah worries that any deal between Israel and Hamas will “irreversibly undermine Fatah in its domestic rivalry with Hamas.”
Posted in Diplomacy, Hamas, Israel, Palestine, US foreign policy | Comment »
Luke-warm Responses to a Palestinian State
November 20th, 2009 by Zack
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed that January elections will be postponed as the Palestine Liberation Organization attempts to receive U.N. recognition for a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 border. However, Daniel Levy argues that this effort will not significantly affect the peace process. He notes that by mid-week some Palestinian officials were already backing away from the “statehood now” plan, but he does hold out that the effort shows an important “new fluidity and questioning of assumptions” in the “Israeli-Palestinian arena.” Victor Kattan similarly argues that a unilateral declaration of independence will not constitute a Palestinian state because it certainly would not be recognized by Israel, it only speaks for half the Palestinian population, it is not a novel approach to the problem, and the declaration lacks “independence and sovereignty, and effective control over its territory.”
David Ignatius puts forth a prescription for Palestinian statehood that follows PM Salam Fayyad’s plan for an administrative transition to statehood. Ignatius contends that “[Fayyad’s] nation-building program is the only ray of light I can see in the Palestinian morass, and it deserves American support.”
Al-Arabiyya is reporting that jailed Palestinian activist Marwan Barghouti has released a statement that the peace negotiations have failed, calling for Palestinians to “launch popular and diplomatic campaigns to achieve statehood” and for Hamas to accept the Egyptian agreement for reconciliation with Fatah.
Ha’aretz reports on a BBC interview in which Abbas claims Israel is currently in negotiations with Hamas and that “Washington isn’t pushing Israel enough to advance the peace process.” Hamas officials have denied the accusation. In another story, Fatah officials have decided to declare a third intifada in response to failed peace talks. The Fatah leadership stressed that this new movement would not endorse an armed struggle. Abbas reportedly agreed to the resolution in principle.
Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Hamas, Islam and Democracy, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Parties, Public Opinion, US foreign policy | Comment »
POMED Notes - Middle Eastern Democrats and Their Vision of the Future, Keynote Address
November 19th, 2009 by Zack
The National Endowment for Democracy hosted a day-long meeting to discuss the ongoing prospects for democracy in the Middle East. The meeting was opened was a keynote address from Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The opening session also featured Egyptian politician Ayman Nour, who joined the conference by phone from Egypt because he was barred from traveling to the U.S. The conference was opened by NED president Carl Gershman, who thanked Berman for his particular contribution to establishing the NED in 1984.
Follow the break to read POMED’s Notes
click here for a .pdf version
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Posted in DC Event Notes, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Hamas, Human Rights, Iran, Islamist movements, Journalism, Judiciary, Multilateralism, Political Parties, Reform, US foreign policy, sanctions | Comment »
New Challenges and Few Options
November 18th, 2009 by Jason
The PLO will extend Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas‘ term in office when it meets in December, reports The Daily Star. His term currently ends on January 25th, but it is increasingly likely elections will not be held by that time. The Parliament’s term is also set to expire the same day, but it is unclear how the PLO will proceed along that front. Abbas also serves as the chairman of the PLO.
Shmuel Rosner in The New Republic argues that even if Abbas was bluffing about his resignation, “with every bombastic statement, Abbas seems to be limiting his domestic options.” Now, Abbas is presented “with new challenges and few options.” His current option, as The Daily Star reports, is to push for a unilateral declaration of statehood despite resistance from Washington and Europe. After talks with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak yesterday, Abbas vented, “What is the solution for us? To remain suspended like this, not in peace?” At the Commentary blog, David Hazony responds that the “real problem with Palestinian independence - the elephant in the room, if you will - is that there is no viable Palestinian regime that can claim to run a sovereign country.”
Steven Cook worries that if the situation continues to deteriorate, a “third intifada is likely to erupt in the near future.” There is a strong precedent of Palestinian leaders resorting to violence to bolster domestic popularity and today’s leaders may come to the same conclusion. But John Whitbeck in the Christian Science Monitor offers a different alternative for the Palestinian leadership. He argues they should offer an ultimatum to Israel: either reach a negotiated deal by the end of 2010 or they will seek a single-state solution based on equal rights and full citizenship for all.
Posted in Arab League, Egypt, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Palestine, Political Parties, Terrorism | Comment »
More than Just a Sport
November 17th, 2009 by Jason
Soccer is more than just a sport for Egyptians. A recent victory in a do-or-die match against Algeria has captivated the entire nation, as well as Western observers. The LA Times blog Babylon and Beyond describes how Egypt “wishes for soccer glory as compensation to tough living.” The blog quotes sociologist Sayed Eweis, who explains soccer “is something that makes [Egyptians] happy.” Writing in The Guardian, Mohamed El Dahshan elaborates that soccer “acts as a catharsis for political frustration and a proxy for popular participation” in Egypt.
But Sean Brooks also sees a darker side to the celebrations after Egypt’s key win, which entailed masses of “over-zealous young men” filling the streets, shooting off fireworks and even sporadically firing their guns. Given this image, he asks us to “imagine what the pent up frustration of millions of young Egyptians could do if focused on a political target.” He continues, “with no dramatic political reforms on the foreseeable horizon, such could be a frightening future for Egypt.” For Brooks, it is unclear whether the Egyptian security apparatus can maintain “this petrified and decaying state” forever, but it is not for lack of trying. After all, on the very day of the Egyptian victory, opposition activist blogger Kareem el-Shae’r was kidnapped and beaten (see previous post), perpetuating a long history of intimidation, harassment and torture that keeps President Mubarakin power.
Meanwhile, a lawyer representing defendants of two purported terrorist cells detained in Egypt has filed an official complaint to the state prosecutor. The complaint claims the prisoners were terrorized by snakes placed in their cells. The detainees have previously alleged torture earlier during their incarceration.
Posted in Algeria, Egypt, Hamas, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Islamist movements, Judiciary, Reform, Terrorism | Comment »
Unilateral State Declaration DOA
November 17th, 2009 by Jason
Haaretz reports that the E.U. has rejected the Palestinian plan for a unilateral declaration of statehood. The U.S. has also expressed reticence, as the State Department released a statement affirming that “the best means to achieve the common goal of a contiguous and viable Palestine is through negotiations.” During a visit to Israel with Senator Lieberman (I-Conn.), Senator Kaufman (D-Del.) called the plan “dead on arrival.”
Also writing in Haaretz, Shaul Arieli argues that if Abbas does decide to not seek reelection, then the “breakup of the [Palestinian Authority] is not an unreasonable scenario.” It would end the Dayton plan to build an independent Palestinian military as well as stymie the Fayyad plan of building the institutions of a de facto state. But most importantly, it would be “tantamount to a public admission by the Palestinian Liberation Organization of the failure of the diplomatic route,” and therefore would represent a victory for Hamas.
Tim McGirk in Time also contends that such a decision could have “dire consequences for the security situation in the West Bank.” According to McGirk, “absent the prospect of imminent statehood, the men trained by Dayton may lack an incentive to police the West Bank.” However, the article also cites a senior Israeli military official who said Israel is ready to fill the vacuum in the event of a collapse of the Palestinian security forces.
Posted in Elections, Hamas, Israel, Military, Palestine, Political Parties, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »
Egyptian Corruption
November 13th, 2009 by Zack
The Daily News Egypt is reporting that Egypt is among the states attempting to weaken the U.N.’s anti-corruption convention by blocking an agreement on an effective review mechanism. The Egyptian stance on corruption review is that civil society organizations should be restricted to local information-gathering and barred from contacting the international community directly. Additionally, Egypt wants in-country reviews to be optional. According to relevant NGOs, should Egypt win the day the convention will be rendered effectively “toothless.”
Time has published a piece examining the current presidential succession debate, exploring the popular resistance to the idea of Gamal Mubarak’s “pharaonic” succession,the increase in public discourse, and the possibility of presidential runs by Amr Moussa and Muhammad ElBaradei.
Posted in Diplomacy, Egypt, Hamas, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Syria | Comment »
Reeling from Abbas’ Withdrawal
November 13th, 2009 by Zack
Al Jazeera reports that the Palestinian Election Commission has recommended the postponement of January elections in light of Hamas decision not to participate (also see our previous post). Discussion continues over the future of Middle East Peace and the Palestinian Authority in the wake of Mahmoud Abbas’ decision not to run for reelection. The Economist debates if he will ultimately step down or if this was ploy to reshape negotiations and allow his to postpone elections and thus maintain power as care-taker. David Keener worries that this could lead to PA dissolution and the reemergence of the PLO. From a legal standpoint, he argues this would actually make sense, but in terms of peace and the average Palestinian this would mark a return to “resistance” over negotiations.
Yossi Sarid, writing in Ha’aretz, argues Abbas must not give up hope and that he should make a Ben-Gurion-like unilateral declaration of an independent Palestinian state now. The new state would call on Jews living in the territories to provide their support and the U.N. would easily recognize Palestinian existence. In the face of such bravado, the occupation would quickly collapse.
Lastly, Evelyn Gordon responds to Jeremy Ben-Ami’s comment about the lack of peace despite having long-established the parameters for peace. Gordon argues that, in reality, there are is no such agreement because the Palestinians continue to deny the reality that Israel will continue to exist.
Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine | Comment »
New ICG Report on Fatah
November 12th, 2009 by Jason
The International Crisis Group has released a new report, entitled “Palestine: Salvaging Fatah.” According to the ICG, “the 50-year-old movement, once the beating heart of Palestinian nationalism, is past its prime, its capacity to mobilise withered.” Given the necessity of a strong national movement, Fatah must revitalize itself by defining a new agenda and then determine how to carry it out and with whom.
The report elucidates on Fatah’s historical decay before moving on to suggest future action. The ICG urges Fatah to answer three fundamental questions: Will it devise a strategy of non-violent, popular resistance to Israel? Will Fatah continue to work as part of the PA or focus primarily on liberation? Is national unity a priority and at what cost should Fatah reconcile with Hamas?
The report concludes that “a leadership equipped with a clearer vision, more democratic and more attuned to popular sentiment, could limit negotiator’s flexibility and capacity for concessions. It also would be more credible, legitimate and capable of carrying its constituency.”
Posted in Diplomacy, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, US foreign policy | Comment »
Moldy Remains of the Palestinian State?
November 12th, 2009 by Jason
Haaretz reports that President Mahmoud Abbas will likely accept a recommendation to delay elections currently scheduled for January. The head of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission confirmed that they told Abbas “we cannot have elections at the time he scheduled them,” especially because of Hamas’ refusal to participate. However, there are no signs Abbas will give in to American pressure to resume peace talks with Israel without a full settlement freeze. Abbas’ threat to resign was a major point of discussion between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in a long one-on-one meeting this week.
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Posted in Arab League, Diplomacy, EU, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Islam, Political Parties, US foreign policy, United Nations | 2 Comments »
New Arab Reform Bulletin
November 12th, 2009 by Jason
A new Arab Reform Bulletin has been released by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
In this issue, Sam Parker explains why the passing of the Iraq election law provides a “fair” outcome for the Kurds while also offering a “small victory” to the anti-Kurd forces. The election law will allow Kurds on the 2009 voting rolls to vote normally, despite fears by anti-Kurd politicians that Kurds are moving to Kirkuk en masse to alter political outcomes. However, the law also stipulates a mechanism to investigate fraud, should the voting outcome appear suspicious. Parker concludes that the “national elections law debate is emblematic of the current state of Iraqi politics: slow, messy, and factionalized, but ultimately democratic and successful in achieving the minimum necessary to carry Iraq forward without falling apart.”
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Posted in Algeria, Egypt, Elections, Freedom, Hamas, Iraq, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Israel, Journalism, Legislation, Libya, Military, Morocco, Muslim Brotherhood, North Africa, Palestine, Political Islam, Political Parties, Public Opinion, Publications, Reform, Saudi Arabia, Terrorism | Comment »
Will Abbas Resign?
November 10th, 2009 by Jason
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has denied reports that he called for the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority out of protest against the stalled peace process. However, Erekat affirmed that President Abbas hopes to pressure Israel and the U.S. by threatening to resign, a move that would make Hamas member Abdel Aziz Duaik acting president. Meanwhile, other Palestinian officials have implied that they might resign en masse if settlement construction continues. According to The New York Times, Palestinian officials increasingly believe Abbas is not bluffing: ”given the split with Hamas, frequent accusations of being an Israeli collaborator and the American reversal on a settlement freeze, Mr. Abbas had simply lost any appetite for staying in power.”
Marc Lynch points out that there is little chance there will be an election at all in January, rendering the question of Abbas’ candidacy “rather moot.” The main obstacle to elections remains the failure of Hamas and Fatah to sign a reconciliation deal. If elections are not held, Lynch reminds us that “it doesn’t mean that Abu Mazen [Abbas] is going away.” In fact, it looks like he is prepared to hold on to power, which “certainly won’t help the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority, contribute to the rule of law or institutional development, or provide a unified and legitimate negotiating partner” for the peace process.
Lynch also points to a comprehensive article on the peace process by Hussein Agha and Robert Malley that also touches upon the current state of Palestinian politics. According to Agha and Malley, Abbas has increasingly immersed himself in “the rhythm of Palestinian politics” and therefore is now more susceptible to public sentiment as he negotiates for a Palestinian state.
Posted in Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, US foreign policy | Comment »
Netanyahu to Washington Amid Uncertainty
November 9th, 2009 by Daniel
Though many Palestinian leaders have asked Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas to stay on as leader despite his claims he will not seek re-election, others thought his threat was just a ploy to extract more concessions from Israel. Evelyn Gordon writes that Abbas’s gambit should fail. He is not a useful partner for peace, and the U.S. and Israel should let him go. Ephraim Sneh writes in Haaretz that Abbas never had an Israeli partner and could not be blamed for the peace process’s failure. Israelis will regret his departure, he says.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington on Sunday for talks with President Obama on restarting the peace process. Monday’s meeting is expected to focus on the peace process and Iran. Thomas Friedman’s Sunday column urged Obama not to get more invested in the peace process than the players are themselves. Instead, he should tell the parties to call on him when they get serious.
One Israeli MP unveiled a peace plan that could include negotiations with Hamas, though Hamas rejected the idea. Reports that Obama plans to take a harder line on Israel treatment of Palestinians has encouraged some in East Jerusalem to fight back against the demolition of their homes, reports The Daily Star. A France-based magazine reported on secret Israeli efforts to monitor Arab users via Facebook.
Posted in Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, US foreign policy | 1 Comment »
Abbas Reactions
November 6th, 2009 by Zack
While the Israeli government has taken no official stance about Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas‘ decision not to run for reelection (see our post), Middle East Online is reporting that Israeli leaders regret his departure. The report notes that a senior Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees Abbas “as a partner for peace” and that Shimon Peres attempted to talk Abbas out of his decision several days ago. Juan Cole has reprinted an editorial from ‘Amman Al-Ra’y arguing that Abbas’ role is insignificant as long as settlements expansion is not frozen in Jerusalem. In addition, he includes a statement from PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat who demanded that the 2008 negotiations resume immediately and saying that Abbas is an “ordinary man” expressing his frustration.
The Guardian has published an editorial arguing that Abbas’ resignation will shake the foundation of U.S. and Quartet strategy, which “is predicated on the assumption that Palestinians can be divided into “good” West Bankers and “bad” Gazans.” The editors feel that this decision paves the way for popular leader Marwan Barghouti to run for president, whose ascension would prove problematic for the region’s “old guard.” Ultimately, the U.S. needs to remain hands off in this situation and allow Palestinians to follow their own democratic processes.
Marc Lynch added to his post from last week debating the realities of an Abbas resignation saying that this could positively shake up the stalled negotiations. He notes that there have been three basic Arab responses to the announcement, “the first thinks he’s bluffing, attempting to leverage his weakness into pressure on the U.S. and Israel; the second thinks it’s irrelevant, because the elections will not actually be held in January; and the third is cheering his departure, and hoping that it will lead to a collective admission that the PA’s strategy has failed.” For Lynch, this incident highlights the lack of American strategy and intra-Palestinian understanding who hopes that this will lead to the necessary realization that “there’s no viable path forward which doesn’t include alleviating the blockade of Gaza and reunifying it politically with the West Bank, and no serious prospect that the institutions of the Palestinian Authority can be built up along Salam Fayyad’s model without also dealing seriously with the political horizon of peace talks aimed at rapidly achieving a two state solution.”
Meanwhile, al Arabiya is reportingthat Hamas, Fatah and Israel are working together to allow a group of Gazans to receive swine flu vaccinations and to travel for the hajj. One of the pilgrims, Sami Abdallah, 34, said he hoped this Fatah-Hamas cooperation could serve as a model for healing a the Palestinian national movement.
Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Parties, US foreign policy | Comment »
Islamists Want Democracy
November 2nd, 2009 by Jason
According to Marc Lynch in The National, moderate Islamist movements‘ attempts to participate in democratic processes throughout the Arab world have been stymed by secular authoritarian regimes. Despite such setbacks, moderate Islamists remain “committed to democratic participation even in the face of massive electoral fraud and harsh campaigns of repression.” However, Lynch worries that “the toll of repression is beginning to show” as the Islamist leadership have begun to disagree about how to proceed.
Using examples from both Jordan and Egypt, Lynch concludes that “the Islamist debate today is not about the legitimacy of democracy - it is about how to respond to frustrated efforts to play the democratic game.” He fears that if moderate Islamists cannot find their voice democratically, then more radical leaders will take control. Furthermore, by cracking down on moderate Islamism, Arab regimes “weaken the foundation of democracy as a whole” and diminish “public freedoms, transparency and accountability.”
Posted in Egypt, Hamas, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Jordan, Muslim Brotherhood, Political Islam, Political Parties, Secularism, al-Qaeda | Comment »
