NYT: Israeli Minister Says Palestinian Leader (Abbas) Is Irrelevant

[wellst0nev0ter]

JERUSALEM, Feb. 26 — Israel's foreign minister said today that Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, was "no longer relevant" in a Palestinian government that will soon be led by the militant Islamic group Hamas.

The remarks by the foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, are consistent with the tough stance Israel has adopted as Hamas prepares to take power, but it is at odds with the efforts by the United States and the European Union to work with Mr. Abbas and to bolster him.

On Saturday, an American envoy, David Welch, met with Mr. Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah and expressed support for his leadership.

The Israeli political and security establishment view Mr. Abbas as far too weak politically to counter a cabinet dominated by Hamas, which calls for Israel's destruction.

PERMALINK

[wellst0nev0ter]

1. Gee, Didn't Sharon Also Call Arafat "Irrelevant"

and his sequestering of Arafat and the undermining of the Fatah party brought about the reality we now enjoy today?

[Warren Stupidity]

2. shhh. we aren't supposed to remember that. nt.

[wellst0nev0ter]

3. Oh Right, Forgot

Clearly Israel is the victim of Hamas assuming power after Fatah crumbled under years of marginalization.

[Wordie]

5. ...a completely meaningless statement,

since they were pretty much treating Abbas as irrelevant, before the election, too. So what's changed?

[occuserpens]

4. When dreams come true

2006-02-26 When dreams come true http://inplainview.monitor.us.tt/comm.ME06.htm