Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has come up with an interesting suggestion to address the ongoing violence at the Gaza border: ban Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas from Ramallah upon his return from his next trip abroad.
Erdan made the suggestion Sunday during an interview on Israeli Public Radio, saying Abbas is “one of the main instigators of violence on the southern border” due to his ongoing economic pressure on Hamas as he tries to break the terror group’s control over the enclave.
“The one really responsible behind the scenes for all that’s happening is Abu Mazen,” said Erdan, referring to Abbas by the name used by everyone in the Arab world. “He is the one to move inspectors out of the Rafah crossing, he’s the one sanctioning Hamas in order to pressure them – pressure that bleeds over to us.”
Ultimately, said Erdan, Abbas fully intends to cause “unrest and to incite against Israel, either directly or using sanctions against Hamas… ”
Maybe … one of the next times Abu Mazen leaves, [we should] not allow him to come back, because today he makes no contribution to the diplomatic process,” Erdan said. “He’s only doing damage with his attitude toward Hamas.”