Press Slates Palestinian President

Pro-government Syrian media criticised the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, for his role in postponing the review of the Goldstone report on the events in the Gaza war earlier this year before the United Nations Human Rights Committee.



The report concluded that war crimes had been committed by both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides. It was decided to put off its examination until March next year, which led to an outcry in a number of Arab nations, including Syria.



An October 9 article in the pro-government newspaper Al-Watan accused the Palestinian Authority of being partially responsible for “war crimes” committed in Gaza.



In his op-ed article, columnist Saleh al-Naame said that by accepting the delay in the examination of the report, Abbas proved that he had conspired with the Israelis against the resistance, a reference to the Palestinian group Hamas.



He said that Abbas was more interested in protecting his personal interests than those of the Palestinian people even if the cost was the killing, wounding or displacement of thousands of individuals.



An October 9 editorial in the pro-government newspaper Qasion described Abbas’s actions as “criminal” adding that he cooperated with the Israeli occupation at the expense of his own people ignoring their heroism, in a reference to Hamas.



The Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, are expected to sign a unity deal brokered by Egypt later this month. The Syrian government supports Hamas and hosts the group’s exiled leaders.