… at least for the time being. That’s not the view of the hairier elements of the Israeli right, it’s the view of the Mahmoud Abbas, President of the PA.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is opposed to lifting the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip because this would bolster Hamas, according to what he told United States President Barack Obama during their meeting at the White House Wednesday. Egypt also supports this position.
The rest here
This story appeared in Haaretz, which is a reputable newspaper. But it is totally unsourced. It would be nice to believe it. But I cannot believe it, esp. in view of Abbas’ statements as recently as last week, until we know what the source of this information is.
I thought it was worth running precisely because it appeared in Haaretz, which has been hammering the government even more than usual in the last fornight. Also, it’s something Abbas himself would be unlikely to say on the record.
Eamonn, I understand your reasoning. Quite okay.
But for myself, and much as I’d like to, I can’t use this juicy bit of info in any other blogging I might do in blog-conversation with Israel-haters, because it is so unsourced. I wish I could.
Eamonn,
I think your reasoning is entirely sound. By its nature a story like this must be unsourced. So, the only question is the credibility of the publication and, as you point out, Haaretz are not afraid to let the Israeli government have it.
Peronally, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this was true.