Mahmoud Abbas

Waiting for Abbas Ehud Olmert, The Tower. "I completely gave up on having an Israeli presence in the Jordan Valley. . . . I proposed a compromise on sovereignty over the Temple Mount." (Interview by Avi Issacharoff)

Fatah’s Two Faces , MEMRI. On Nakba Day, Mahmoud Abbas endorses a two-state solution even as his party refuses to recognize the Jewish state and claims a right, which “never expires,” of return to Israeli land.

After Fayyad Elliott Abrams, Weekly Standard. Salam Fayyad's resignation as Palestinian prime minister signals the failure of his proactive approach to state-building—and the return of corruption and mob rule.

The Elephant in the Mosque Jonathan D. Halevi, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Mahmoud Abbas' recent agreement with King Abdullah II reaffirms Jordanian jurisdiction over the Al-Aqsa compound but ignores Jordan's Palestinian dilemma.

Palestinians against Peace Khaled Abu Toameh, Gatestone Institute. A peace deal negotiated between Israel and Mahmoud Abbas would be opposed by Hamas, the Palestinian people, and even parts of the Palestinian Authority.

Obama Goes to Israel, Finally Elliott Abrams, Weekly Standard. It is a good thing that President Obama is planning his first visit to Israel.  But will he arrive with a European peace plan aimed at forcing Israeli concessions?

Polling the Palestinians Rick Richman, Commentary. Over half of Palestinians would oppose a two-state solution, even if Israel withdrew from 97% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to a recent opinion poll.

The Arab Netanyahu Alex Joffe, Project Syndicate. Netanyahu "defends his country’s interests, and hints at conciliation but gives up little—much like a traditional Arab leader."

Washington Post Says "Settlements" Rhetoric Overheated , Washington Post. Almost all of Israel's recent post-Oslo settlement construction is located in areas that a two-state solution would cede to Israel. The real roadblock to peace is Abbas.

After Abbas Jonathan Schanzer, Foreign Policy. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is a 77-year-old smoker with no official successor.  If he goes, the PA presidency passes to Aziz Dweik—and Hamas.