The top ranks of the Palestinian Authority are greatly disappointed by the results of Israel's general election. PA President Mahmoud Abbas' and the Fatah leadership's hope that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be defeated by Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party, was dashed.
Senior PLO official Saeb Erekat expressed this view when the final results of the elections were announced by stating, "The Israelis have voted 'no to peace' to preserve the current situation. They have said, 'No to peace and yes to the occupation.'"
The PA leadership was careful throughout the Israeli election campaign to avoid statements that could have been interpreted as interference and helpful to Netanyahu. However, every child in the West Bank and Gaza knows the Palestinian leadership desired Netanyahu's downfall. On April 9, Abbas played the supposedly "neutral" game when he said during a tour of a Ramallah hospital: "We are watching what's happening with our neighbor, and we hope they will take the right path towards peace."
At the moment, what concerns the PA leadership is the strengthened right-wing bloc in Israel and the expected publication of U.S. President Donald Trump's "deal of the century." But what worries them the most is Netanyahu's announcement on April 8 that he had informed Trump of his intention to annex territories in the West Bank "gradually and in coordination with the United States."
Senior Fatah officials say the PA is powerless against any intention to annex the settlements and additional territories in the West Bank, and it doesn't have any diplomatic options to prevent it. Abbas announced on April 8 that the PA already rejects Trump's deal. He continues to boycott the U.S. administration and is worried about the weakened stance of Arab countries toward Trump's Middle East policies.
The Arab countries displayed this weakness when the Trump administration recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and it only reinforced the mounting frustration among Palestinian leaders. Arab leaders have shown they are strong when it comes to condemning Israel and the United States, but do nothing when it comes to taking action.
PA officials, while concerned about the annexation of large settlement blocs in the West Bank and parts of Area C, says Israel is not interested in annulling the Oslo accords because it does not want to manage the lives of 3 million Palestinians. Israel, however, wants the actual territory, and the PA will be left with the burden of taking care of the daily lives of West Bank residents.
Abbas' persistent efforts to create opposition in the international arena to Trump's policies have failed miserably. Over the past year, senior Fatah officials have tried persuading him to open a secret channel of communication with the U.S. administration to reduce tensions. However, Abbas has stubbornly refused and continues to boycott the Trump administration.
Abbas' policy toward the Trump administration will only cause further harm to Palestinian interests. Palestinian society is deeply divided and there is a rift between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Abbas is in a difficult position; he is opposed to an armed intifada against Israel, but his strategy of "popular resistance through peaceful means" has been a resounding failure in the West Bank.
Fatah officials fear that Netanyahu's election victory and the growth of the right-wing bloc in the Knesset will give Netanyahu the impetus to advance the process of imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and evacuating the isolated Bedouin settlement of Khan al-Ahmar.
Abbas' stubbornness means the Palestinians must become accustomed to any new situation imposed upon them by the Trump administration and Israel. Abbas does not have the political courage to "hang up his hat" and resign from his position.
He continues clinging to power while tending to his and his two sons' sizable economic interests. The PA leadership is afraid of him and senior Fatah officials prefer to avoid disputes with him because of their impending battle for succession. Abbas is an obstinate politician who does not appreciate criticism. Those who argue with his policies will find themselves isolated and outside the political game.
The Palestinians themselves, rather than their leadership, are paying the price for this.
This article is reprinted with permission from JNS.org.
