Blair: Abbas leaving office due to frustration over stalled peace
UN Mideast envoy tells Army Radio that Israel and Abbas need each other to weaken Hamas' power in Gaza.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Mahmoud Abbas Israel news Tony BlairThe United Nations envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, said Tuesday that he believed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision not to seek re-election was a reflection of deep frustration regarding the slow pace of peace negotiations.
Speaking to Army Radio while on a visit to Jerusalem, Blair called Abbas a man of peace, and said he worried the decision would harm any chance of toppling Hamas' power in the Gaza Strip.
"People are impatient to get into the negotiation regarding the Palestinian and Israeli states," Blair told Army Radio.
This frustration, Blair said, could be responsible for Abbas's resignation, yet he firmly believes that "Abbas wanted peace and to negotiate peace" and added that he was "still hopeful, but then again I always am."
Blair said he believes Israel and Abbas need each other in order to weaken Hamas' power in Gaza.
When asked what his thoughts were regarding the settlements, Blair said that he would rather not talk directly about the issue as there is not yet a signed agreement on that matter.
Still, he expressed hope that such an agreement would soon be signed and added that "the key thing is that they don't breach an agreement once it's made."
Blair stressed the fact that he is not in the region to talk about the diplomatic issues, but rather to "create for the Palestinians freedom of movement and better their living conditions."
When asked whether he is not discouraged by the ongoing conflict in the region, Blair said that he believes "it's so important that people reach peace, and it's worth fighting for."
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| Photo by: (Uriel Sinai / Getty) |
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It was because of Abbas that Hamas took over Gaza and if he remains they will take over the W.B. Tony wake up, your horse is dead.
Blair lamenting Abbas' "departure" is merely 1 tired old political face mourning the depature of an other.Abbas is more popular in Washington & the western media than he is among Palestinians.Always lackluster,he has failed to clean up the vast corruption which has marked Fatah rule and has shown himself to be uncreative and only capable of parroting the sad, tired old lines.I suspect he withdrew fearing the embarassment of an other election defeat for Fatah.Perhaps with his withdrawal & the threatened resignation of his cabinet,a newer,younger generation of leadership might emerge among Fatah,one which might offer something new & honest to the Palestinians,who seem only to be offered a choice between corrupt old faces & the extremism of Hamas.Neither option offers them hope or a better future.Perhaps it is time for those Palestinian "moderates" to finally show their faces.
"The stalled peace discussions has nothing to do with Israel" Col(Res)Cohen "President Mahmoud Abbas' decision not to seek re-election was a reflection of deep frustration regarding the slow pace of peace negotiations" Tony Blair "slow pace"=many decades. Colonel Cohen, are these discussions held with Martians? Israel is not involved? Maybe you're correct, Golda said, "there is no one to talk to." Yes, a land without people. Salaam/Shalom
The stalled peace discussions has nothing to do with Israel. The situation is such that when Obama demanded that Israel freeze building, then Abbas started to use the same statement over, & over again. Then, Abbas demands he gets E Jerusalem for his capital, then to return to 1967 borders, then all refugees return back to Israel proper. Do Blair think that all these demands will be met???. The palestinians know that Israel will nevr return to 1967 borders, Syria knows that the Golan Heights that is strategic for Israel's security so why repeat continueously then say that Israel is stalling the peace talks. What they are demanding wont happen and they have to live with it which they could. For the past many years, nothing has been done or improved in Gaza or thw west bank. The world has pumped billions & billions of dollars, where is it all gone.?? Blair do this anlysis & let me know.
1/. His reconciliation talks with Hamas went nowhere. If he can't acheive Palestinian unity, he can't acheive peace with Israel. 2/. Hamas landed a fatal body blow on Abbas over his handling of the Goldstone Report. 3/. The election he was forced to call quickly descended into farce when Hamas said it wasn't happening. Abbas's position was made untenable by Hamas.
....Palestinian "nation-building", if he is siding so clearly with one party (Fatah) over the other (Hamas)...??? If he wants to make progress on that front, he will need to enjoy the trust of both of them....
Abbas' resignation is the greatest threat possible to the Jewish state. If he gives up on the two state process entirely and terminates the interminable negotiating that perpetuates the Palestinians as non citizens then international law will require Israel to grant citizenship to all residents of West Bank; the demographic bomb. He cannot be allowed to give up negotiating. The negotiating must continue forever. He should be targeted for assassination so that his successor will know that such behavior is unacceptable. His successor will know better than to stop negotiating. Let that be a lesson. Peace Stephen
Both Israel and Hamas did everything in their power to frustrate him. Besides he has no credibility left amongst the ordinary palestinians. I am surprised he held on as long as he did. Still, I think he'll change his mind and will run for a second run!
Abbas appears to be a sincere and descent man who wants a "life" for his people and country. However, he does not have the "credentials" of violence required to lead the entire "neighborhood." If some semblance of peace is near, a new leader who will confront Israel more forcefully may be on the way. Violence will not work, but an underlying threat of it may change the balance. It is all in appearance.
S(D): "Tony, what again is your job.....????" It isn't to be a peace negotiator between the Israelis and the Pals: that is Mitchell's job. Blair job is "nation-building" i.e. helping the Pals build up the PA infrastructure. It's therefore right and proper that he not comment on things like a settlement freeze, since that is outside his brief.
Zionists want no peace, it would bring an end to those extremists ruling. To keep on ruling they must scare their people, to get votes. How else for Likud and Shas to stay in power but to bring Hamas to power in West Bank. Taught by Sharon.
with such politicians as blair nothing will change for the better. these guys have since long time failed to force and implement freedom and statehood for the occupied palestinians. time to stop believing in them including blair, abbas and whoever runs israel. a solid boycott movement will do the job of theirs.
With all due respect, but I would say your "efforts" have been of a rather limited nature since you got the (pensioner) job of a Middle Eastern envoy....