Alluding to the late Abba Eban’s tried and true adage that “the Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity,” Vice President Mike Pence’s director of communications Jarrod Agen commented on the Palestinian Authority’s decision to boycott Pence’s visit to the region, saying:
“It’s unfortunate that the Palestinian Authority is walking away again from an opportunity to discuss the future of the region, but the administration remains undeterred in its efforts to help achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians and our peace team remains hard at work putting together a plan.”
“The President has asked Vice President Pence to go to the region to reaffirm our commitment to work with partners throughout the Middle East to defeat radicalism that threatens the hopes and dreams of future generations,” Agen noted, adding that regardless of whether or not he is welcome in Ramallah, “the Vice President very much looks forward to traveling to the region and to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President el-Sisi.”
Fatah bigwig Jibril Rajoub, renowned for his penchant for shooting his enemies in the knees in broad daylight, announced last week: “In the name of Fatah I say that we will not welcome Trump’s deputy in the Palestinian Territories. He asked to meet on the 19th of this month in Bethlehem, such a meeting will not take place.”
PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki on Friday said President Trump’s decision on Jerusalem means “the US administration transferred itself from the role of mediator to becoming a side in the conflict. This is incompatible with any role the US can play in the peace process.”