The findings by a Palestinian pollster signal more difficulties ahead for the Biden administration’s postwar vision for Gaza and raise questions about Israel’s stated goal of ending Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.
Washington has called for the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, currently led by Abbas, to eventually assume control of Gaza and run both territories as a precursor to statehood. U.S. officials have said the PA must be revitalized, without letting on whether this would mean leadership changes.
The PA administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and has governed Gaza until a takeover by Hamas militants in 2007. The Palestinians have not held elections since 2006 when Hamas won a parliamentary majority.
Yes, except in this case Biden has publicly backed only Netanyahu up until yesterday.
So like that’s an issue, right?
It is. But the implication that Abbas is ‘US-backed’ misses that Abbas is the head of the PLO, and the PLO is the internationally recognized government of Palestine, rather than someone the US is trying to insert into the conflict or prop up.
Did you read in the poll that Palestinians want Abbas to quit? Cause it’s there.
Yes, I did, that doesn’t change that ‘US-backed’ is misleading here. I have no problem with Abbas resigning or the Palestinian people desiring him to resign, my only point is that Abbas isn’t some US-backed warlord or puppet. He’s the winner of the last legitimate elections of Palestine (over 20 years ago now, if I’m not mistaken), the internationally recognized leader of the legitimate Palestinian government, and the US’s support, insofar as it exists at all, is to the PLO rather than propping up him personally.
It’s not misleading. If you know anything about American history and how they’ve mucked about in other nations’ leadership, you would understand.
Jesus Christ.