In its continuing efforts to disinfect Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in preparation for a Palestinian application for statehood in September, Reuters runs yet another in its farcical "
Factbox" series. Here's what the agency wants us to believe about Abbas:
Abbas, an opponent of political violence by the Palestinians, has spent decades trying to make peace with Israel. He has said he will not seek another term in a new ballot, which is already more than 3 years overdue. He was among the first Palestinians to initiate secret talks with Israelis in the 1970s. Almost two decades of peace talks did not yield a treaty, frustrating Abbas, who believes Washington was too partial to Israel.
And here's what Abbas himself has said publicly:
"[W]ith the will and determination of its sons, Fatah has and will continue. We will not give up our principles and we have said that rifles should be directed against the occupation…. We have a legitimate right to direct our guns against Israeli occupation….” January 11, 2007
“At this present juncture, I am opposed to armed struggle because we cannot succeed in it, but maybe in the future things will be different [...] I had the honor of firing the first shot in 1965 and of being the one who taught resistance to many in the region and around the world; what it’s like; when it is effective and when it isn’t effective; its uses, and what serious, authentic and influential resistance is…. It is common knowledge when and how resistance is detrimental and when it is well timed…. We [Fatah] had the honor of leading the resistance and we taught resistance to everyone, including Hizbullah, who trained in our military camps.” February 28, 2008
So there is reality. And then there is Reuters.
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