by Stephen Lendman

Previous articles explained Abbas' longtime collaboration with Israel. He sold out long ago for whatever benefits he derives.

He's Israel's enforcer. He ill serves and insults Palestinians. His presidency is illegitimate. Israel rigged his 2005 election. In January 2009, his term expired.

He's still in office. At least for now, Washington and Israel want him there. He's more stooge than statesman. He's a duplicitous puppet.

He replicates fascist Quisling Norway, Vichy France, and other Nazi-controlled collaborationist regimes. Instead of serving his people, he betrayed them.

He subverts Palestine's liberating struggle. Collaborating with the enemy is treason. Abbas and likeminded Fatah officials are guilty on multiple counts.

What did he know and when about Pillar of Cloud?

He knew about Cast Lead in advance. On November 30, 2010, Reuters headlined "Israel says Abbas, Egypt warned on Gaza war - leaks," saying:

Ahead of Cast Lead, Israel "conferred with the Western-backed Palestinian leadership and with Egypt…."

Leaked US diplomatic cables quoted a senior Israeli official confirming it. Haaretz reported the same thing. Mubarak and Abbas were briefed in advance.

Haaretz said "Israel tried to coordinate the Gaza war with the Palestinian authority." WikiLeaks released US diplomatic cables confirming it.

In June 2009, months before Cast Lead, Israeli Defense Minister Barak met with US congressional members.

He also "consulted with Egypt and Fatah prior to Operation Cast Lead, asking if they were willing to assume control of Gaza once Israel defeated Hamas."

He "received negative answers from both." Previous leaked information reported the same thing. WikiLeaks provided "the first documented proof."

Abbas denied getting advance word. He lied. Mubarak said nothing either way.

Reuters said Abbas "urged Israel to crush Hamas during the war."

Avigdor Lieberman held ministerial positions under Sharon and Ehud Olmert. In April 2009, he became Netanyahu's Foreign Minister.

He explained Abbas' involvement, saying:

"Over the past year, I witnessed (Abbas) at his best. In Operation Cast Lead, (he) called us personally, applied pressure, and demanded that we topple Hamas and remove it from power."

Though out of government during Cast Lead, a senior Olmert official called his comments "essentially accurate."

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said this information "reaffirms the fact that Mahmoud Abbas is no longer fit to represent our people, who conspired against his people during a war."

Abbas was never fit to serve. That's why Israel and Washington chose him.

WikiLeaks also disclosed that Hamas spokesman Salah Al-Bardaweel said:

"We have not ruled out that Fatah and the Palestinian Authority could have contributed in one way or another in the war against Gaza for political reasons such as bringing down the Hamas movement and regaining control."

More from WikiLeaks suggested it. Washington's Tel Aviv embassy said Fatah officials asked Israel to attack Hamas.

According to a June 2007 dispatch, Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin said "demoralized" Fatah officials wanted help to destroy Hamas.

"They are approaching a zero-sum situation," said Diskin, "and yet they ask us to attack Hamas. They are desperate. This is a new development. We have never seen this before."

He added that "Fatah is in a very bad shape in Gaza. We have received requests to train their forces in Egypt and Yemen. We would like them to get the training they need, and to be more powerful, but they do not have anyone to lead them."

He also praised Shin Bet's "very good working relationship" with Abbas at the time. His internal security service collaborates with Israel. He understands that "Israel's security is central to (his) survival in the struggle with Hamas…."

At the time, Fatah collaborated with Washington to oust Hamas. An abortive coup failed. More information surfaced.

WikiLeaks published a June 12, 2007 cable. It said Israeli military intelligence head Amos Yadlin told US embassy officials that Hamas retaining power in Gaza was advantageous.

"Although not necessarily representing a GOI (government of Israel) consensus view," said Yadlin, "Israel would be 'happy' if Hamas took over Gaza because the IDF could then deal with Hamas as a hostile state."

Israel's imperial agenda needs manufactured enemies. Having them facilitates violence and instability. They also help justify small and larger-scale wars.

Like Pillar of Cloud, Cast Lead was planned months in advance. Its aim was to advance Israel's imperium.

It involves controlling all valued parts of Judea and Samaria, depopulating much of Palestine, and confining remaining population elements to canonized worthless scrubland.

Both conflicts are more about weakening Hamas than destroying it. They also involve waging war on civilian men, women, children, infants and the elderly.

Doing so is official Israeli policy in all conflicts. Israel considers all Palestinians combatants or potential future ones.

Perhaps Abbas and other Fatah officials knew about Pillar of Cloud in advance. Maybe they approved or urged it.

During eight terror bombing days, Abbas' comments were delayed, weak, meaningless and insulting.

He did nothing to help beleaguered Gazans. Nor during Cast Lead. Both times he went along with Israeli slaughter and mass destruction.

Issam Younis serves as Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights general director. On November 20, Maan News published his "Letter to Abbas: Visit us in Gaza." In part it said:

"This is a historic moment, that must be taken up. We’ve waited for you in Gaza for six days. We’re still waiting; your people who are being attacked and slaughtered in Gaza."

"It is not acceptable anymore - no matter what those surrounding you make it look like to you - that you do not come. I do not invite you to show solidarity with Gaza, but to be in Gaza and with Gaza."

"The advocates of divide can stay back in Ramallah. This scandalous schism must end now and here; the schism that made your people bleed."

"We are waiting to know that you have ordered PLO diplomats in Geneva, New York, Vienna, and Paris, and in all UN offices, to immediately act to convene the UN General Assembly, Human Rights Council, UNESCO and others to condemn the crimes perpetrated against our people in Gaza, and do all they can to secure that these crimes be investigated and punished."

"It is regrettable we have not so far seen any meaningful diplomatic effort that matches the size of blood and suffering in Gaza."

"We are waiting for the orders to our veteran diplomats to be set on fire and approach the European Union and other powers to mobilize the much-needed pressure on the occupying state."

On November 4, Younis also challenged Hamas. Maan News published his open letter, saying:

He remains "an advocate of the right of Hamas to govern, and I absolutely reject the double standards employed by the international community towards the movement."

"The financial and political sanctions on Gaza are simply unjust and scandalous. Hamas won a free and fair election in 2006. The world was well aware that Hamas would win in the elections."

"At the same time, he challenged Hamas to act more like a government than a 'movement.' "

"The issue here is not about calling into question the intentions or desires of the people in power. It is more about the actual process of governance in such a unique situation like Gaza."

"What is needed is for the government to interact openly with society, with all of its social and political structures. Society also has a duty to reciprocate and to be open to interacting with the government."

On November 23, Haaretz contributor Amira Hass headlined "War highlights Abbas' mutual alienation with Gaza."

She discussed both Younis letters. Abbas was abroad when Israeli terror bombing began. He returned. He had to. Yet he waited two days before speaking publicly.

His comments were weak, unacceptable and duplicitous. He showed which side he's on.

He also convened Palestinian PLO leaders. "(H)e didn't even invite the Hamas representative in the West Bank." He failed to show solidarity with Gaza.

"It is not clear whether the Hamas government would (let him come) as part of an overall conciliation agreement" or for any purpose.

During Cast Lead, his security forces prevented Palestinian protests. This time he didn't "dare (stop) people from marching toward Israeli Defense Forces checkpoints in the West Bank (to) demonstrate against the attacks on Gaza."

Doing so fell far short of what's needed. Palestinians need leaders serving them, not Israel. Abbas is a collaborative traitor. He's also a pathetic spent force.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book is titled "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War"

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Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

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