Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., November 08, 2009 Cheshvan 21, 5770 | | Israel Time: 01:12 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Israel, U.S. voice concern over Abbas withdrawal
By Barak Ravid
Tags: Middle East Peace Process 

Israeli and American officials expressed concern over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's announcement on Thursday that he will not be running for reelection in January.

President Shimon Peres telephoned Abbas on Wednesday night in an effort to persuade the Palestinian leader to change his mind. Peres told Abbas that he was worried that the decision would trigger political crisis in the Palestinian Authority, leading to a Hamas takeover in the West Bank.

"If you leave the Palestinians would lose their chance for an independent state," Peres told Abbas. "The situation in the region would deteriorate. Stay, for the Palestinian people's sake," he said.
Advertisement
Aides to Benjamin Netanyahu refused to comment on Abbas' statement, but the prime minister has reportedly said in private meetings recently that it was in Israel's interest to have a strong Abbas who could advance the peace process. Netanyahu made similar statements to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a week ago, saying that it was in Israel's interest to strengthen Abbas as much as possible.


"Of the existing alternatives, if we want an agreement with the Palestinians then Abbas is the best partner," Netanyahu said a few days ago.

He said he was serious about the peace process with the Palestinians and was ready to take risks to advance peace, despite the PA leadership's impression to the contrary.

"The best partner is Abbas, but any Israeli intervention in internal Palestinian politics would only do harm," Netanyahu said. Defense Minister Ehud Barak added that he hoped Abbas' reluctance to run for reelection would not damage the attempt to resume the peace process.

"It's important for both sides to adhere to the principle of negotiating to advance an arrangement," Barak said in a statement. "I suggest making every effort to reach a two-state-for-two-peoples arrangement, while preserving Israel's security interests," he said.

A senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously about the possibility of Abbas disappearing from the political scene, said, "There's a real crisis situation in the PA." Clinton asked Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday and Arab foreign ministers she met in Morocco two days earlier to urge Abbas to remain in office and run for reelection.

Related articles:
  • Abbas: My decision not to run for re-election is final
  • ANALYSIS / Is Abbas just crying wolf again?
  • Netanyahu: Iran's shipment of arms to Hezbollah - a war crime
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Folkie fights demolition
    Pete Seeger uses 'Turn, Turn, Turn' to help end Israeli razing of Palestinian homes.
    Coach Hitler
    U.K. children believe the Fuhrer managed Germany's national soccer team, a poll shows.
      1.   "for palestinian peoples sake" 03:26  |  Dmitry Kalametris 06/11/09
      2.   What is the Point? 03:33  |  Mark of Lewiston 06/11/09
      3.   Of course Israel is concerned. 03:46  |  Ryan 06/11/09
      4.   marwin barghouti 03:47  |  sam 06/11/09
      5.   Wanting it both ways 03:59  |  Shelley 06/11/09
      6.   Understandable, good quislings don`t grow on trees. 04:48  |  Victor 06/11/09
      7.   Where will the Us and Israel get their new fig leaf? 04:54  |  John 06/11/09
      8.   Oh No, Who Will Pretend Now? 05:28  |  David P. 06/11/09
      9.   bull time a thosand 05:34  |  Eric WIlson 06/11/09
      10.   ABBAS IS SHOWING SOME REAL COURAGE 05:46  |  EL 06/11/09
      11.   Israel Wants Land Not Peace 05:47  |  Steve Benassi 06/11/09
      12.   Of course they`re concerned, Abbas a puppet 05:56  |  Fares 06/11/09
      13.   there`s zero chance for peace with current Israel government 07:29  |  newageblues 06/11/09
      14.   Abbas is boxed in after Goldstone mistake 10:26  |  Bloodyscot 06/11/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    23:46 Obama: Israel won't know peace while Palestinians are gripped by despair
    15:28 Iran will not exchange uranium with the West, top official says
    16:44 Turkey FM: Israel ties could improve with Syria talks
    19:28 ANALYSIS / How Israel's war with Iran will be fought
    16:47 Fort Hood gunman's family: America made him what he is
    18:09 Pete Seeger's role in ending Israeli house demolitions
    12:27 Hitler was a German soccer coach, kids tell U.K. poll
    23:50 TV ROUND-UP: Leaders speak at Rabin memorial; parachuter crashes
    20:29 Police confiscate drugs, counerfeit goods in raid on convenience stores
    12:55 Hezbollah agrees to join Lebanon unity government
    21:25 UN condemns Israel, Hezbollah violations
    23:34 Lebanon authorities detain 'arms ship' crew for questioning
    18:45 WATCH: Protesters breach West Bank separation barrier
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved