Source: The Jerusalem Post
Nov 16, 2007
Israel’s counter-intelligence and internal security service, the ISA (or GSS) warned Friday PLO/PA leader Mahmoud Abbas could arrange things so that the US-sponsored conference set for Annapolis later this month could “blow up.”
The result would be the lionization of Abbas who like his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, will then be regarded as a hero who stood up to the Israelis and Americans rather than “sell his own people short.”
While the ISA acknowledged its assessment was based on speculation rather than concrete intelligence, its warning should be seen in the light of precisely this kind of self-destructive action taken by not only “Palestinian,” but also other Arab leaders who in the past have chosen for strengthening their support base at home even if it mean losing support for their cause abroad.
Meanwhile Israeli defense officials have also advised Prime Minister Ehud Olmert not to make any further concessions to the “Palestinians” until the latter shows what they are willing to deliver in Annapolis.
This recommendation is in contradiction to what the Bush administration is pressing Israel to do – make as many concessions as it to ensure the Arab side attends to the conference.