Al Aqsa Marytr’s Brigade, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, = Palestinian Security Forces = Peace Partner

The more I see of Abu (Mazen) Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority; the more I think he bases his leadership style on our very own Mr. Dithers or at least - he has made a very serious study of Canadian liberal leadership. Think about it. If Mr. Dithers was running the PA how could you tell him apart from Abbas without a picture?

For example, yesterday Canoe News was reporting that elements of Al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade (which is the militant wing of Fatah - which is Abbas’s very own political party) were displeased with his decision to demand that several individuals who were under his protection turn in their weapons and cease all criminal activities or leave the compound. Not liking the option, about 15 of them banned together and fired on the Ramallah offices of Abbas. Not content with shooting up the compound they carried their destruction and mayhem into the streets of Ramallah to make sure Abbas got the point.

That got under the craw of Abbas and he spewed out “the we will hunt them down and bring them to justice speech” except that in less than 24 hours the Jerusalem Post is reporting this:

Palestinian security backs down on pledge to crack down on Ramallah gunmen who attack Abbas' office. Palestinian officials on Thursday backed away from a declaration that they would go after gunmen who shot up Mahmoud Abbas' office building and rampaged through Ramallah, underlining the difficulties authorities face in restoring order in the chaotic West Bank.

Abbas, who was in the building but was not hurt in the gunfire late Wednesday, ordered a crackdown, and security officials said the renegades had "crossed a red line" by attacking the seat of government. But in the light of day, the officials adopted a conciliatory line, and one admitted they feared coming under armed attack themselves.
{…}

Abbas responded by ordering the combatants arrested, more troops deployed throughout the city and compensation paid to the businesses that were damaged, security officials said. An official fumed, "They have crossed the red line. They attacked the presidential headquarters. They are defying the Palestinian Authority and now we have to take harsh steps against them, otherwise they will control the city and spread chaos." But the security commanders quickly climbed down.

One of the insurgents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had reached a compromise and agreed to return to their units, though they would not serve inside Abbas' headquarters. A Palestinian security official confirmed that, adding that the rebels would be demoted one rank. Another official said they could not be arrested, because their colleagues would attack the Palestinian Authority's forces.

Feeding the crocodile in the hopes that he eats you last does nothing to change the menu.