Global Geopolitical leaders: Palestinian Authority leaders between rock and a hard place

Times are tough for Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders and especially for President Mahmoud Abbas as the leaders’ popularity declines at home, amid tightening of the geopolitical screw by President Donald Trump of the U.S. to bring them to reach an agreement over the future state and fate of Jerusalem.

Since President Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel late last year, PA leaders have refused to sit down with Washington to have peace talks but that has started to cost them. Earlier this week, the Trump administration has announced that it is calling off the $200 million aid to PA and will spend the money elsewhere. PA leaders have condemned Washington’s decision, http://www.jewishpress.com/news/us-news/erekat-attacks-us-200-million-aid-cuts-to-pa/2018/08/26/

At the same time, with the blessing of the United States, Israel has seriously come close to forging a cease-fire agreement with Hamas along the Gaza border. The move was condemned by president Abbas as it will significantly reduce PA leaders’ influence in the region. PA even threatened to cut aid to Gaza region should Hamas move ahead with forging a truce agreement with Israel, which further shows their waning influence.

Times are really tough for PA leaders who are faced with choosing between peace without Jerusalem or resist to see its influence going down the drain.