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Ramallah vs. the "Peace Process"

(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's strenuous efforts to resume peace talks between Israel and the PA led two Israeli Arab businessmen to take the initiative and open the first Fox clothing store in the West Bank, with PA permission. After investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations and the training of employees, the two businessmen soon found themselves at the center of a protest organized by "anti-normalization" activists and journalists. Facing daily threats, including calls for fire-bombing the store, the two entrepreneurs called off the project, which would have provided jobs to nearly 150 Palestinians. This incident is an indication of what awaits Abbas if he dares to reach any agreement with Israel. The same "anti-normalization" movement which Abbas supports will be the first to turn against him if he strikes a deal with Israel. The U.S. needs to understand that Abbas has failed to prepare his people for the possibility of peace with Israel. Moreover, he is backing campaigns that promote boycotts and hatred of Israel. It is important to talk peace. But it is even more important to educate people about peace - something that neither Yasser Arafat nor Abbas, his successor, have done for the past two decades.
2013-08-02 00:00:00
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