Except for kick-starting the French initiative, which has of yet yielded any significant difference, the Palestinian leadership is experiencing a number of setbacks with a few of its international partners.
By ADAM RASGON
Since the failure of the latest round of peace talks in May 2014, the Palestinian leadership has renewed its international strategy to achieve statehood. Its efforts have focused on joining international institutions such as the International Criminal Court and gaining support abroad for its political positions. While the Palestinian leadership has achieved some successes, such as kick-starting the French initiative, more recently it has experienced a number of setbacks with its international partners.
The conclusions of the report signified a resounding loss for the Palestinian leadership.
They placed the PA in the defendant’s seat and reaffirmed that the United States, European Union, the United Nations, and Russia will not hesitate to criticize Palestinian policies regardless of the former group’s frustrations with Israel.
The visit demonstrated that African countries belonging to the Non-Aligned Movement, which has historically supported Palestinian positions, are prepared and willing to advance relations with Israel even if no progress on the peace process is made.
Despite the various setbacks, the Palestinian leadership is motivated to push back continue to advance its international strategy. In fact, PA President Mahmoud Abbas just met with a number of African leaders yesterday and today in Kigali, Rwanda, and delivered a speech to the African Union’s 27th Summit. He plans to visit a number of other African countries this week and then to head to Paris to consult with French President Francois Hollande on the French initiative.
http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Analysis-A-series-of-diplomatic-setbacks-for-the-PA-460766