According to the Times, it’s looking more and more like Mahmoud Abbas isn’t bluffing about stepping down. I’ve always been fairly positive on the guy, and he’s been dealt a pretty shitty hand. I made a maze on the topic a few years ago, and things have only gotten worse for him since. So at 74, I don’t exactly blame him for bowing out of what has to be one of the worst jobs in the world.
In fact, my first thoughts were that this might even be a positive thing for the region. The shakeup cause by his departure might create an opening for a third party movement that would finally give the Palestinians decent representation. Neither of the two current options – Hamas, which can competently deliver services, but is an extremist terrorist organization, or Fatah, whose moderate policies put a friendly face on a deeply corrupt patronage machine – are really ideal standard bearers.
Alas, this new report had to come along and rain on my parade. The really worrying news here is that Abbas won’t just opt not to run for re-election, but will leave office early, and that other Fatah officials would follow his lead. There’s talk of the Palestinian Authority having outlived its usefulness. It’s hard to decide what would set Palestine back further: the complete collapse of the Authority, or a consolidation of power under Hamas.
Abbas is definitely taking some lumps on Goldstone and settlements, but to pull a Palin would be a huge mistake for the Palestinian people. (It should also be noted that Sarah didn’t bring down the government of Alaska in her wake.) If he’s not bluffing, Mahmoud needs to man up and at least keep his seat warm until a new election can be called – whenever that may be.
