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Abbas getting to discover true Israel intentions: Analyst

Thursday, 24 December 2015 1:41 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 24 December 2015 1:41 PM ]

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech in Paris, France, on September 21, 2015. (©AFP)

Press TV has conducted an interview with Paul Larudee, co-founder of the Free Palestine Movement from Berkeley, on a statement by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas censuring Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands where the regime continues to expand its illegal settlements.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: When Mahmoud Abbas talks about the acceleration of the apartheid regime, certainly that is something alarming. Israel has quickened its activities recently, hasn’t it?

Larudee: It has indeed, but I’m very pleased to see that we have a museum peace in the person of Mahmoud Abbas, who is one of two Palestinians left in the world who still believe in the two-state solution and the other one is in a mental institution. So, it’s amazing to me that he expresses concern about the potential loss of a two-state solution. It’s just incredible.

And I’m glad to see that finally after 67 years of occupation and invasion by the Zionist forces that he discovered that they’re trying to expand their illegal settlements. And I [think] he already had a state. Isn’t it recognized in the United Nations? And if the state of Palestine recognized and it exists and it has ambassadors all over the world, then can’t he just invite other willing countries to come in and work as allies of Palestine to defend Palestine? Just invite them into the country and let them do that.

Press TV: So do you believe that Mahmoud Abbas is part of the problem?

Larudee: Yes, yes you could say that. And the hypocrisy is really legendary, but who else could continue to exist in this row, which makes people all over the world, say: “Palestine has a government. They have a president and therefore, if they have a problem why doesn’t their government solve it?”

Without that government they would be forced to say: “Oh, Palestine is occupied by Israel and this has to be Israel’s fault, because Israel is not doing it.” But with Mahmoud Abbas in place he serves a useful function not so much for the Palestinians but to some people.

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