It's (almost) all over

[Behind the Aegis]

Even the Palestinian Authority leadership was in a coma this week. Not for the first week, either. American doctors summoned to its bedside tried to stimulate a bit of pain on the right side, then the left. But aside from some light spasms from the arm that launches Qassams, no positive signs were registered. Pleas, prayers and reprimands were to no avail. The doctors essentially gave up, but continued to man their posts. Maybe a miracle will happen, maybe it's a matter of a little more time... in any case, they didn't have a prescription for a different medication.

This is the big story that was not made sufficiently prominent in the last few weeks. The tangible, human drama that is taking place between the corridors of Hadassah University Hospital and Ehud Olmert's office in the Finance Ministry, and which is standing in the shade of all other events, has hidden its own importance and scope. But the dying of the PA - and moreover, the beginning of the major concession regarding the chance of its remaining alive - is liable to have a far greater influence in the long- and medium-term than that of the change of government in Israel.

After all, here one ruler goes and another one comes - and though it's difficult to believe, in disorderly, corner-cutting, habitually slipshod Israel, the government changed hands with exemplary and confidence-inspiring conduct. And there - only large emptiness, and there's no one to take the reins. What should be done with Mahmoud Abbas? An American official sits, takes a long breath and raises his hands toward heaven. Maybe after the elections it will happen, he says. Says so, but doesn't believe. The chaos that prevailed in the PA territory is discouraging. The two senior envoys who came last week for talks in the region know the clients quite well. Around the envoys too, one can hear indications of a lack of confidence in the hope that could arise from the Palestinian leadership.

The process of conceding the "Abu Mazen option" didn't happen in one day, and has yet to be completed, but it is at its peak. Congress has already had its say, the administration is moaning and even on the left side of the American political map, only criticism can be heard.

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