Mohammed Dahlan, one of the PLO’s former strong men, reportedly met with a senior Israeli government official in Europe — twice. The rumor is that he met with FM Avigdor Liberman. (Update: New rumors are saying it was a different senior Arab figure and not Dahlan, and Mossad officials were in attendance).
PM Netanyahu has said that the meeting was not authorized by him.
But maybe it was, and maybe this is Bibi’s shot across the Palestinian Authority’s bow.
Mahmoud Abbas is terrified that Dahlan will make a comeback and kick him out. But one of the only realistic ways that could actually happen is with Israeli support.
As Abbas threatens to go to the ICC (and opening himself up to counter-suits, be damned), Bibi may be making it clear to him that Abbas’s job and life depends on Israel’s good graces.
Withholding tax money is a temporary measure — getting replaced with Dahlan — that’s forever.
