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Abbas casts doubt on Palestinian elections
Reuters
Published: 17.02.11, 15:10
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20 Talkbacks for this article
1. Election should still go on..
Rami of Nazareth ,   Israel   (02.17.11)
regadless of hamas agreement. West Bank palis should vote and show gazans that under hamas they are left behind...
2. He can not hold vote but he wants UNSC to vote to push Israe
Eric ,   Tel Aviv & NY   (02.17.11)
He can not hold vote but he wants UNSC to vote to push Israeli concessions. Here Abbas is telling the world he can not hold elections because he does not represent his people enough to hold an election but Israel building in Israel is the reason there is no peace treaty. What a hypocritical lying guy.
3. Why he canceled elections
Israel Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (02.17.11)
To win, Abbas and Fayyad need lots of American and Saudi cash and to fake elections like Mubarak did (and was praised for it by Hilary). But now that American money stinks and the Saudis need theirs for more important things like buying supporters, Abbas figures he will lose. To make a long story short: soon Abbas will retire to some mansion in Europe.
4. #2 don't mix between water and Oil!
Salma ,   Palestine   (02.17.11)
Abu Mazen is PLO leader, Nothing to do with elections in the PA with the core issues of the Palestinian cause . here is the Title : PLO
5. Abbas is looking for an excuse to call off elections
zionist forever   (02.17.11)
There were supposed to have been elections two years ago but Abbas put them off indefinitely. Abbas didn't want to hold these elections he was forced into it because he was worried that after Egypt if he didn't hold them quick the people might just topple him & his corrupt friends. Now if Hamas don't agree to hold elections in Gaza then Abbas will cancel all elections. Gaza has been split from Judea & Samaria for about four years now but it hasn't stopped Abbas running one government in Judea and Samaria while Hamas run their government in Gaza. If they have managed to govern the area like this for this long why do they need to call off all elections if Hamas don't agree to hold elections in Gaza? Whats to stop Abbas having elections in Judea and Samaria now and then hold elections in Gaza when this Hamas / Fatah split is resolved? Mubarak might have been a dictator but he was at least the legitimate president. Abbas was supposed to have held elections two years ago that makes him an illegitimate president
6. When will The Arab Civil War End
Mark from Georgia ,   USA   (02.17.11)
How can Israel talk peace, when these morons can't decide who their leaders are?
7. Free elections under the present circumstances?
Ben Alofs ,   Bangor, UK   (02.17.11)
The PA in the Westbank, headed by Abbas, acts as a barely disguised collaborator of Israel. Abbas's troops, trained under Mr Dayton's supervision, round up all the politically undesirables (read Hamas members) with behind the scene coaching from Israel, which holds the Westbank and East Jerusalem under occupation. In the Gaza Strip the Hamas movement has unchallenged control. It is therefore ridiculous to call for 'free' elections in September under these circumstances. And even if they would have been free, like in 2006, if the people elect candidates, who are undesirable in the eyes of Israel and the West they are simply shunned. The only chance of having something resembling free elections is for the Fatah and Hamas leaderships to find a modus vivendi, an agreement to disagree, releasing prisoners and creating the conditions for all candidates who want to compete in the elections to campaign freely. Of course Israel can interfere with a normal election campaign at any turn. It is enough to simply close a roadblock and refuse an electoral candidate to proceed. This we know. If the leadership of Hamas and Fatah truly want to serve the Palestinian people it is their duty to declare a truce, find a modus vivendi and a platform for national unity. It is up to them to create the best possible circumstances under which the Palestinian people can vote for a new parliament and a new president.
8. Dr. Ben Alofs #7
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Canada   (02.17.11)
Now that Dr. Ben Alofs is barred from entering Israel, and therefore cannot do his medical rounds in Gaza, he can sit safely and from his confines in Wales argue about the unfairness the Israeli and Palestinian communities are foist upon poor, downtrodden, terroristic Hamas. I think Dr. Alofs has never had a mortar or rocket fired at him nor, with all his sophistication in emergency procedures, has he ever witnessed a suicide attack. By now, Dr. Alofs' points are getting pretty old, however, and timeworn. I think he should pay more attention to his patients and clinics in Wales and, if he really wants to make a difference, join "Doctors Without Borders" and spend some time in one of the underdeveloped African countries where he could, clearly, make an appreciable difference.
9. #4 - Abbas basiclly just said that he can not make peace
Eric ,   Tel Aviv & NY   (02.17.11)
Salma if he can not hold elections how can he negotiate peace? How can he hold referendum on any deal he makes? What is the point of pushing Israel when it is building on land that belongs to it not some potential future Palestinian state? His term expired 2 years ago, he has canceled or postponed elections twice each for local and national level. He is wasting everyone's time and trying to make a mockery of the UNSC and Obama.
10. IT'S THE ISLAMIC WAY
Ian ,   Newcastle upon Tyne   (02.17.11)
Undertaking a good deed counts in paradise as if the undertaking is carried out.....even if,ultimately,the undertaking is not carried out. Cannot lose!!! Abbas can bask in a rosy glow from undertaking to hold elections that he knew to be impossible,but it doesn't impress here. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
11. # 8
Birdi ,   Israel   (02.17.11)
Ben Alofs who is a Welsch local GP is an international activist, born in Holland (lives in Wales) He is totally against Israeli politics & associates with the likes of UK former labourite & veteren activist, Tony Ben (aged 86) amongst other well known activists. Alofs has in the past worked in refugee camps in Lebanon & Gaza. He was deported from Israel in 2002. This deportation order still stands.
12. #8 and #11, sadly you are misinformed
Ben Alofs ,   Bangor, UK   (02.18.11)
I was denied entry once in 2002. The Shin Bet or border officials got spooky about such subversive literature like Surgery for Victims of War and Advanced Trauma Life Support for Doctors, that I intended to bring to the Palestine Red Crescent Society in al-Bireh, occupied Westbank. Anyway, the year after I returned without a problem and then again in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and 2008. I did not visit Palestine and Israel in 2009 and 2010, but plan again to go this year. The usual route is via Amman/Allenby/King Hussein Bridge. Less hassly propably than Ben Gurion.
13. # 12
Birdi ,   Israel   (02.18.11)
Once you have been deported & denied entry into Israel, your name is "marked" The border officials at every entry port into Israel has access to your name etc..I doubt that the literature you carried was the reason for your deportation as the border officials at Ben Gurion Airport knew exactly who you were; a trouble maker of the 1st degree. True you did not "visit Palestine" as it does not exist.There is no country called Palestine. You will be surprised how strict the Israeli officials are at the Allenby bridge!! Once in Israel you will still need permission to enter Gaza & the Arab towns in Judea & Samaria.
14. #12; Dr. Ben Alof, I can see why youu...
Mark from Georgia ,   USA   (02.18.11)
Were denied entry even once! Fortunately for you, Israel is a true democracy and did let you back into Israel, as you said many times. To Israels discredit, clearly your just a troublemaker and instigator. As we all know your denied entry in many Arab countries if your passport has Israel stamped onto it. So save your hollow indignation. So sneak around the West Bank and Gaza using the Red Crescent as subterfuge. After all. everywhere else in the world the Red Cross in allowed. Except in Muslim places, right? They have to change there name to be allowed in, great freedom loving people you sympathize with. Birdie is right there is so such country or people called Palestinians that myth has been long ago discredited. As we see here: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/12/29/david-m-phillips-the-myth-of-israel-s-illegal-settlements.aspx ANS HERE: http://www.globalpolitician.com/24388-israel-jerusalem Your remarks about "illegal occupation" are just regurgitated nonsense. That people have heard for so long (a lie repeated often) that they think it's true. It;s NOT!!!
15. #13 Again i need to correct you
Ben Alofs ,   Bangor, UK   (02.18.11)
I was never told in 2002 when I was denied entry not to come back in 10 years as some other people get to hear, presumably because I had never committed an offence other than wanting to go and teach nursing and medical staff in the occupied Palestinian territories. I assumed that after 2002 my name was 'marked', yet when I returned in 2005 and in subsequent years I was allowed in on a normal 3 month tourist visa. It is true that since 2007 I have not ben able to visit the Gaza Strip, when I was able to go there in 2005 and 2006, but you are again misinformed; although the Israeli government has tried to cut the Westbank off from Israel and announced at one stage that it would restrict entry for foreigners into the occupied Westbank, so far I have never needed special permission to go and visit there. Apart from the Gaza Strip I can go anywhere. I do not need any permission. I can understand that you don't know Palestinian society well, while living in your encapsulated cocoon in Israel, but wishing Palestine away does NOT mean that it does not exist. Palestinian society is very much alive and kicking!
16. # 14
Birdi ,   Israel   (02.18.11)
Mark, Alofs tells us in his post # 12, the usual route he takes (to enter Israel) is via Jordan.The Allenby Bridge is the border crossing between Jordan & Israel. Seeing that Israel & Jordan have diplomatic relations, having an Israel stamp in his passport would not hinder his entry into, or his exit from Jordan.
17. #16; Birdi, thanks, but my point...
Mark from Georgia ,   USA   (02.18.11)
Was different and maybe I didn't express it well. This fool can come and go into Israel as he pleases. Something not allowed in many Arab countries. Jordan obviously is excluded from this. I just find it hypocritical Ben Alof, to vilify Israel as unfair when he can do there as he wants. Something NOT allowed by those he defends As is typical of those who are anti-Israel, if they were to get or achieve their goal (to destroy Israel), they would be put to death soon after (by the very people they now sympathize with), should they then criticize those animals (with the same vigor they attack Israel now). They're just to stupid to know that. In the dark back rooms of the Arabs Ben sympathizes with, they secretly laugh at his stupidity and gullibility. But take pride in how easy it is to manipulate these morons. They are smart enough to know that division causes weakness. Ben whether wittingly or unwittingly aids the force's of evil.
18. # 17
Birdi ,   Israel   (02.19.11)
Mark, I agree with you. Alofs can vilify Israel as much as he wants here. We are here to refute his hatre (against Israel) The pallies make Alofs feel hig;ly important & yes they use him for their own purposes. Nope he cant really "do as he wants in Israel" the authorites know exactly who he is & trust me they watch him real close when he is here. The fact is, if he was deported from Israel, he would not be allowed to return. He was denied entry into Israel & not told why. Simply google his name & you will get loads of info on this blind moonbat.
19. @ Alofs
Birdi ,   Israel   (02.19.11)
Twist the facts as much as you want. "although the Israeli government has tried to cut the West Bank off from Israel & announced at one stage that it would restrict entry for foreigners into the West Bank....." 1. Israel has not tried to cut the West Bank which is known as Judea & Samaria,off from Israel. 2.Foreigners are restricted entry FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. Israelis are not allowed into these areas FOR THEIR OWN SAFTEY.
20. # 15
Birdi ,   Israel   (02.19.11)
There is no country called Palestine, so how on earth can I wish it away? Oh I know the pallie society is very much alive & kicking....they make their presence known almost daily by attacking southern Israel with rockets . In my book, if you want peace you need to earn it by giving up all forms of violence, rockets, drive-by shootings, kniffing & murder. I dont know Palestinian society? Thats a joke isnt it? I know exactly what "these people" want. They want ALL our land, & they want our ulitamte demise. How do I know ? Its all written in their Charter. Continue being blind Alofs, they are using you for all that they can.They will smile in your face & will knife you in your back! Note; put one foot in the wrong direction & you will be made canon fodder by them. Good luck to you for your quest to help & provide !!
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