Hamas Takes Gaza

Brian Hendler A Palestinian holds up a Hamas flag in a file photo.
Despite Hamas taking Gaza,
Israel still says Abbas matters
By Dan Baron

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Even with Hamas seizing control of the Gaza Strip this week in a full-scale and bloody assault on Fatah rivals, the Israeli government is not writing the more moderate Palestinian president off yet.

“Abu Mazen is very relevant because we are in the middle of this battle and he still has great power,” Amos Gilad, the Defense Ministry’s chief strategist, told Israel Radio on Thursday, using the popular name of the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

“He is the legitimate figure that the world recognizes. If the world pins any hopes on the Palestinian leadership, then it is on Abu Mazen.”

After months of occasional skirmishes and botched reconciliation efforts, it appeared this week … Full Story