The head-hackers were pleased to see Abbas, and he was hoisted onto the shoulders of masked gunmen -- Always a good sign in free and democratic elections, apparently. Adding to the warm, fuzzy feeling, the crowds endorsed Abbas by chanting the unofficial Fatah election slogan, 'With our blood and our souls we will redeem you'. And in Palestine, you know that's not just empty rhetoric.
All of this is from the BBC, who are also kind enough to point out that:
[C]orrespondents note that recent campaign stops have included some public appearances with Palestinian gunmen - something that could raise concerns in Israel about his commitment to peace.
It's a pity, really, that these correspondents were being so coy. Because there's no big secret about what Abbas has been up to this week.
On Thursday he was at the Jenin refugee camp, hobnobbing with Zakaria Zubeidi, the Islamonazi mastermind behind many suicide bombings. Zubeidi and his henchmen, like their friends in Rafah, lifted Abbas on their shoulders (does this man have trouble walking or something?), and Zubeidi warned the crowd that 'he would deal with anyone who tried to challenge the elected Palestinian leadership'. Charming.
In return for this endorsement, Abbas had the following to say about Israel's continuing desire to see the kind of people who murder children on school buses punished:
'When we demand security,' Abbas said, 'we demand it for all our citizens, including our wanted brothers who also deserve a life of security and safety,' he said, in a reference to Zubeidi and his group, evoking another big cheer.
Abbas also talked about establishing the rule of law and negotiating with Israel, though the AP doesn't see fit to mention if these subjects were met with any cheers. Somehow, we doubt it.
(Hat tip, Little Green Footballs)
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