Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas obtained nothing out of Annapolis parley except US and Israeli vows he described as putting the Palestinian state on the right track. The US-Israeli vows were not implemented in the past concerning easing the suffering of the Palestinians, releasing the Palestinian prisoners or removing the barriers and the Israeli checkpoints which separate the Palestinian cities and villages. So, what would be the destiny of the vows of the establishment of the Palestinian state?

In truth, Olmert embarrassed Abu Mazen just after the end of the Annapolis parley by launching raids on Gaza. In addition, in press statements, the Israeli Prime Minister ruled out the finalizing of the negotiations of the so-called Palestinian state by the next year. Olmert abided by the Israeli rejection of the return of refugees and Jerusalem supposed to be the capital of the would-be Palestinian state.

In fact, Abu Mazen might serve the Palestinian people better by closing the rank of the Palestinians and restoring solidarity among all factions and building a bridge of confidence between Gaza and the West Bank through dialogue.

Al Gomhuria

1/12/2007