I assume that Abu Mazen knows all this. He is playing for time. He is trying to prevent a violent uprising, which he believes will only benefit the occupation, deploying his American-trained "security forces" in cooperation with the occupation army. This is close to the abyss.
He has one consolation: the Hamas authority in the Gaza Strip has obviously come to the same conclusion and is now keeping a kind of armistice ("hudna") with Israel.
ONE OF the main differences between Jewish Israelis and Arabs is their attitude towards time. Israelis are by nature impatient, Arabs are patient to a fault. Arabs admire the camel, an animal of infinite patience. The Arabs have a very long history, while the Israelis have almost none.
I assume that Abu Mazen believes that at this point in time there is very little Palestinians can do. So he is leading a holding operation: endure the occupation, prevent violent confrontations the Palestinians are bound to lose, wait for the situation to change. Arabs are good at this kind of strategy, called sumud.
However, the occupation is not just staying around. It is active, taking away Arab land, relentlessly building and enlarging Israeli settlements.
In the long run, this is a battle of wills and endurance. As has been said, a battle between an unstoppable force and an unyielding mass.
HOW WILL Abbas be judged by history?
It is much too early to say.
I believe that he is a true patriot, no less than Arafat. But he is in danger of sliding, against his will, into a Petain-like situation.
I definitely do not believe that he is corrupt, or that he represent a small class of "fat cats" who are getting rich under and from the occupation.
History has placed him in a situation that is well-nigh impossible. He is showing great courage in trying to lead his people in these circumstances.
It is not a glorious role. This is not a time for glory.
History may remember him as a man who did his best in disastrous circumstances.
I, for one, wish him well.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
