The report was drafted by an unidentified senior official and relayed to
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman amid Israeli plans to block international
recognition of a Palestinian state, Middle East Newsline reported. The report said Abbas, who seeks to
become the "spiritual father of the Palestinian nation," was acting solely
to ensure his legacy while exposing the PA to Hamas infiltration.
"He subjugates Palestinian interests in order to guarantee his place in
history," the report said. "Abbas has decided not to run for Palestinian
Authority chairman in the next elections, primarily following developments
in the Arab world, and is focusing on building his heritage by leaving 'on
his own accord' and not being ousted like [Egyptian President Hosni]
Mubarak."
The report, based on Israeli intelligence, determined that Abbas was not
interesting in reaching any agreement with Israel. Abbas was portrayed as
fearful of any agreement that would make him vulnerable to accusations that
he betrayed the Palestinian people.
"It can be clearly stated that Abu Mazen is not a partner to advancing
the political process, but quite the opposite," the report said. "Abu Mazen
is operating along this line with determination, and will continue to do so.
He's not interested in compromises or in negotiations with Israel, even
though he estimated that a one-sided UN resolution will bring about a
Palestinian-Israeli conflict, diminishing the chances of an actual
Palestinian state, or at least postponing it for a long while."
Abbas was said to have pursued a tougher policy with Israel than his
predecessor, the late Yasser Arafat. The report said Abbas was unwilling to
make the concessions that Arafat had been considering because the current
chairman wanted to compensate for his refusal to wage war with the Jewish
state.
"Contrary to Arafat, Abu Mazen has been demonstrating a lack of
willingness to compromise and even tougher stances than those presented by
Arafat, all part of his attempt to 'compensate' for relinquishing an armed
battle," the report said. "This is apparent in issues of refugees,
territorial swaps, settlements and Jewish construction in Jerusalem."
The report said Abbas has already prepared a retirement home outside the
West Bank or Gaza Strip. The PA chairman was said to have established a home
and other assets in Jordan or a Gulf Cooperation Council state.
Still, the PA chairman was said to be struggling to promote his policy
within the international community. The report said Abbas was forced to
appease both his so-called Arab wing and Western wing, which often clashed,
particularly on the issue of Hamas participation in the PA.
"Establishing a national unity government with Hamas, without following
through on the Quartet's guidelines, might hinder Abu Mazen's attempt to
appease the West," the report said. "Europe's insistence to keep [Salam]
Fayad as prime minster, counting on him to build state institutions and
manage finances, makes it hard to finalize the reconciliation while
pacifying the West — without which the 'exit strategy' will not be
completed."
Abbas was said to have directed the signing of a reconciliation
agreement with Hamas to satisfy the Arab wing. At the same time, Abbas plans
to tour Western capitals during retirement.
The report warned that Hamas could torpedo any reconciliation. Another
scenario was that the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state could
spark soaring hopes that would lead to disappointment and a backlash against
the Abbas regime.
"It could create very high hopes among Palestinians ahead of September,
which might cause a 'blowout' when the Palestinians come to realize a day
later their reality hasn't really changed and even worsened in certain
aspects," the report said.