Palestine leaks to hurt Abbas

Accepting refugees - albeit a limited number - to a new Palestinian state is indeed a major concession within itself. Most of the expelled Palestinians of 1948 originate from villages - either destroyed or replaced with Jewish villages - within Israel proper, and not in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The PA has, in essence, acquiesced to Israel’s long rejection of the ‘right of return’ by giving up on the plight of millions of Palestinians to return to their original homes.

Abbas’ sincerity for the Palestinian cause becomes questionable as his historic concessions appear to be driven by a deep motivation to defeat rival Hamas, rather than delivering the best possible outcome for his people.

Indeed, Hamas is a recurring theme in negotiations, with Erekat telling Livni in February 2008 that “what will destroy Hamas is for us to reach an agreement”.

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators were often briefing each other on progress in battling Hamas, including a request by the PA for Israeli tear gas canisters and riot gear to control protests in the West Bank.

That the PA would be willing to surrender its position on sensitive issues in order to weaken its local rival is likely to anger many Palestinians.

Hamas, and its regional backers in Iran and Syria will exploit the leaks to reinforce an already widely held Arab perception that Abbas and his Fatah faction are little more than Israeli and American lackeys.

The Palestine Papers confirm for many in the Arab world that Abbas is incapable of steering the Palestinians to a final and just settlement with Israel. It appears increasingly evident that his grip on power is a consequence of Israeli and American, and not Palestinian, desires to keep him there.

The leaked private files starkly categorise the PA as an American partner in the regional struggle against Iran. Striking a deal - any deal it seems - with Israel is primarily aimed at eliminating Hamas and weakening Iran’s role in Palestinian affairs.

Iran, on the other hand, will feel vindicated as its profile among Arabs as the main champion for the Palestinian cause just received a major boost.