Arrr! The scallywags be causin' trouble in the Palestinian Authority while Biden be waggin' his finger at Israel!
2024-04-07
Arrr, the State Department be cheerin' for the new crew in Ramallah, but whispers be goin' 'round that two of 'em may be flyin' the Jolly Roger! Watch yer backs, me hearties! Aargh!
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, the new Palestinian Authority government, led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, has come under scrutiny for including ministers with extreme and racist views towards Israel and Jews, as revealed by the Israeli organization Palestinian Media Watch. The new Minister of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Mustafa Najem, has openly incited violence against Israelis and characterized Jews as evil and treacherous. Minister of Women's Affairs Muna Al-Khalili has praised Palestinian terror attacks as legitimate resistance.The U.S. administration, eager for reform in the Palestinian Authority, has welcomed the changes made by Abbas. However, many Palestinians and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, express skepticism about the authority's potential to bring about significant change. Analysts like Khaled Abu Toameh and Kobi Michael doubt that the new leadership, under Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, will enact real reform as long as Abbas remains in power.The State Department has expressed optimism about working with the new government, despite concerns about the ministers' rhetoric and behavior. Critics like Jonathan Schanzer argue that the U.S. is overlooking the government's problematic nature in pursuit of its objectives, potentially leading to familiar challenges in the region.