Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has found a true partner in Cairo, where he thanked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday for his support to win United Nations General Assembly approval to recognize the PA as a non-member observer state.
Abbas did not miss the opportunity to flatter, or at least to try to flatter, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, whom he started to name as “Mohammed Hosni” before catching himself in mid-sentence from calling the president “Mubarak.” Morsi was not thrilled at the gaffe.
Abbas completed his slapstick diplomatic comedy show by thanking King Mohammed V, who was the king of Morocco – until he died.
A Moroccan official reminded Abbas that the king today is Mohammed VI.
Abbas’ appearance was his second meeting with Ahmadinejad in the last six months, having traveled to Tehran in September.
With war partners like Ahmadinejad and Morsi, it remains to be seen how the Obama administration can market Abbas as Israel’s peace partner, but history has shown that the U.S. State Dept. has great expertise in drawing dead-end roadmaps.