Abdel Karim Shalabi

Olmert's 'Peace Partner' Cannot Deliver and Has No Mandate

By Abdel Karim Shalabi

The question today is not whether Abbas is a peace partner or not. Rather, what Olmert needs to ask is whether the Abbas can deliver or not. The answer is very simple and clear: even if Abbas wanted to deliver a peace deal, he cannot. His term in office expired in January 2009, but he remained at the behest of the Obama administration. The result is that he is seen by many Palestinians as an illegitimate leader.