Scent of anti-Semitism in Abbas' Speech Doesn't Change His Support for Two States

Amira Hass, Haaretz

Image from article, with caption: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he chairs a Palestinian National Council meeting in Ramallah on April 30, 2018

The president's speech before the Palestinian National Council reflected his authoritarian style and habit not to listen to criticism

Excerpt:

Abbas’ summary of Israel’s historiography is that the establishment of a state for the Jews was a colonialist project undertaken by Christian nations, and that the proponents of the project were Jew-haters who did not want them to live in their countries. But the Palestinian president’s legitimate précis contains embarrassing mistakes, important omissions and also a claim with a harsh scent of anti-Semitism: In Europe they hated the Jews not because of their religion, but because of their professions involving money-lending and banking.

His insistence on falling into the trap of declarations that will aid Israeli hasbara (public diplomacy [JB emphasis]), which also completely ignores his relevant messages related to the path to peace, reveals something about the man and his style of rule: He is consistent in his positions, does not listen to criticism and does not consult others – or, he chooses advisers who will not tell him anything he does not want to hear. He also chooses to be updated only on what suits him. ...