WAR: Palestinian fighters challenge Abbas

Palestinian militants are preparing to go to war against Mahmud Abbas if he attempts to put a stop to the violence. Abbas is scheduled to meet with leaders of both Hamas and Islamic Jihad and hopes to negotiate a ceasefire that would ultimately allow negotiations with Israel. However, both groups have said in the past that they are opposed to this.




Abbas is in a very difficult position. His honeymoon lasted about a day and it seems that business as usual has returned to the area. If he cannot win the peace within Palestine he runs the risk of being marginalized and totally ineffective. He is also at extreme risk for being assassinated by one of his own. No one thought that achieving the peace would be easy, and the world will continue to watch.

[edit on 1/16/05 by FredT]

I question whether peace is achievable at all in this conflict. The Palestinian extrememists will kill anyone who tries to stop them, and peace is not their objective. Israel must know that the Palestinian leader has no influence over them at all. What can he do, send in the army and police? If he becomes a problem, he will be killed. By refusing to talk when an attack occurs, they too perpetuate the problem.

It's sad that the both the average Israeli and Palestinian may never get what they really want. Peace, and safety for them and their families.

Originally posted by Duzey

Israel must know that the Palestinian leader has no influence over them at all. What can he do, send in the army and police? If he becomes a problem, he will be killed. By refusing to talk when an attack occurs, they too perpetuate the problem.

Of course Abbas has influence over the terrorists.

Newly elected Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said in his inaugural speech Saturday in Ramallah that "The PA is prepared to carry out its obligations as outlined in the road map"

[Abu Mazen] is a good man; we know him well. But he knows and we know and the Israelis know that the Palestinians have to come together now and stand behind their president and insist on a reformed government, an honest government, a government that has a solid security apparatus that will go after these terrorists. It's going to be another tragedy if people who conduct these acts of terror, who shoot mortars out of Gaza or try to get bombs into Israel from the West Bank, are allowed to continue to destroy the peace process and deny the Palestinian people their opportunity to have a state of their own."
"The intifada did not accomplish a single thing for the Palestinian people toward their goal of a state of their own. So it has to end, and all of these organizations and individuals and terrorists who continue to kill Israelis or to create conditions of instability are not doing their people a favor. They're denying their people their dream." (US Secretary Colin L. Powel)l

U.S. Department of State


Rebekka

Things aren't looking good for Abbas.

Arafat organized everything around terrorist operations, outlandish propaganda, mafia-style intimidation tactics, buying support from foreign leaders, murdering political opponents, shaking down Palestinian businessmen and funneling money into his pockets.

There really isn't a viable government for Abbas to take over, and that is why it will fail.

Originally posted by Riwka
Of course Abbas has influence over the terrorists.

For now, maybe. But as soon as they disagree with him, he's dead. I think maybe that's they only reason Arafat survived to die of health related problems, because he supported them. They are extremists and can see nobodies point of view but their own. Now, if there were some way to get the Israeli and Palestinian govts to work side by side to root out extremists on both sides, and allow for some leeway when these terrorists attack, and not abandon the process, we might get somewhere.

The situation in the Gaza Strip has been escalating for some weeks, especially in the launching of mortars and Qassams. The Palestinian field commanders in the Strip wanted to act against terror, but did not get a green light from the Muqata.

The top Palestinian decision-making body, the executive committee of the PLO today said it "demanded halting all military acts that harm our national interests and provide excuses to Israel, which wishes to obstruct Palestinian stability." Militants, even from Abbas's own Fatah movement, have defied his calls for a ceasefire so that peace talks can resume.

The PLO did not say what action, if any, ( - Abbas ruled out to take action aganist the Palestinian terrorists who are responsible for the last attack on the Karni crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip on Thursday night that killed six Israelis - ) might be taken against militants who disobey.

Nobody expects Abbas to 'complete' the work against terror - but he should at least start.

Rebekka

I really hope Abbas finds the guts and the organisational strength to take on the radicals. As you know I feel that Palestines deserve a decent place under the sun, just like the jews, but the leaders got to show the WILL for peace or it will never happen.

Naturally , once Abbas shows good intentions by taking on Hamas, the ball would be at israeli site to reach out a hand of friendship.

Hope for the best, still prepared for the worst, well, at least there is some hope!


[edit on 16-1-2005 by Countermeasures]

A hebrew radio station reported, Abbas convened an emergency meeting of PA security commanders in the Mukata compound.

He told the security forces to set up checkpoints in various parts of the Gaza Strip to stop gunmen from firing rockets and mortars at Israeli settlements and towns

Abbas also is planning to visit Gazastrip on Wednesday.

Rebekka




[edit on 16-1-2005 by Riwka]