Abbas is someone who is in a difficult situation. But he is looking to dispel the accusation that he is weak, and to show that he has a good understanding and analysis of his circumstances.

There is going to be a serious attempt within the present council to try and push for a definition of how you qualify to be a party and what are the rules of the game.

As a practical matter, they think that the new members of the parliament will be more amenable to pass these laws than the present one. They're comfortable that it will pass then. But they do not rule it out now.

The Arab Boycott Bureau has been an ineffectual economic weapon, it has clearly not damaged the Israeli economy, but it did have political impact. As Arab leaders consider lifting it they should ensure that the Palestinian economy draws substantial benefits. Such a move would have the added benefit of narrowing the economic gap between both communities, making negotiation more feasible.

He understands fully the political equation that goes with the security equation -- the need to deal with both. He understands that the security questions that have been raised and used in the occupation and the attack on the Palestinian people would indeed generate antagonism towards Israel and to the United States and create terrorism.

Abbas is someone who is in a difficult situation. But he is looking to dispel the accusation that he is weak, and to show that he has a good understanding and analysis of his circumstances.