Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is explicit when asked to comment on PA (Palestinian Authority) plans to file for non-member nation observer status in the United Nations. Lieberman stated “Abu Mazen has lost control and he is fighting to survive.” The foreign minister told reporters that the planned application to the United Nations is another form of terror, and it represents “שבירת הכלים”, stating this would be a point of no return in Israel’s eyes and mark the end of all diplomatic processes with the PA.

The ministry is preparing for the eventuality as PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has signaled he is not backing down this time, unlike the Arab Spring, to which Israel is signaling it will topple him from his leadership position. From the PA leader’s point of view, he is left with no other option, between a rock and a hard place as he is instructed to move ahead by the Arab League and failure to adhere to that directive would leave the PA leader in too compromised a position to continue. As such, it appears Abbas prefers the backing of the Arab League and will let the chips fall where they may vis-à-vis the future of the Oslo process and Israel.

An internal Foreign Ministry draft document address the matter, stating that one of Abu Mazen’s fears is he will share the fate of deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Interestingly, the published internal ministry paper does not speak of gradual increasingly serious measures that might be taken against the PA, but just one option, the ousting of Abu Mazen, who Foreign Minister Lieberman has stated repeatedly is just a lame duck leader who lacks support and authority. The paper adds that the PA in Ramallah has nothing to say regarding the goings-on in Hamas-controlled Gaza and that must be clear to all.

“Several Gulf states are also angry with Abbas for his removal of Mohammed Dahlan who is trying to convince Arab leaders that Abu Mazen is no longer relevant. As a result he has lost the support of important patrons in the Arab world” the document adds. Dahlan is one of the old cronies who was reportedly involved in major corruption along with Arafat and others, all helping themselves to generous portions of donor nation funds to the PA.

Alternatively, should the PA leader refrain from moving ahead to the UN as planned Israel should move ahead towards negotiating provisional borders with the PA pending new PA elections.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been less explicit in his response but he has warned the Israeli response would be quite harsh.

Abu Mazen remains firm and announces that he will present the PA request to the UN General Assembly on November 29, 2013. It is clear to all that if the PA makes the request, it has a certain majority in the General Assembly.

Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Shteinitz spoke with Israel Radio, explaining the PA move represents a “major strategic threat as well as a possible security threat throughout Yehuda and Shomron”.

While on the air the senior minister was asked regarding the situation in southern Israel and continued rocket attacks. He was asked if a ground forces incursion is planned. Dr. Shteinitz stated he will not discussed what is planned for Gaza but issued a warning to terrorists in Gaza that if the military does respond, the result will be a painful one.

Opposition leader Shaul Mofaz warns that the prime minister and foreign minister will bring about the collapse of Fatah and Hamas will be the replacement.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)