Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is a brave man. He took his job knowing that his every move would be attacked from three sides: by Israelis, by Islamic militants and by the Palestinian leadership he replaced, in particular Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat. And within hours of meeting his Israeli counterpart, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, all three began to undermine his authority -- and hopes of any real chance for peace. Mr. Abbas is a threat to those that do not wish to see genuine peace. He can deliver, with support from the international community and an honest partner.
Mr. Abbas was elected prime minister of the Palestinian Authority in April when the international community, in particular the United States, made it clear that Mr. Arafat was no longer a credible partner. Corruption, ties to militants and doubts about his commitment to peace all contributed to that decision. Mr. Arafat has not taken kindly to being sidelined; while agreeing to let Mr. Abbas take the prime minister's post, he has fought the move every way, trying to insert his followers into the new Cabinet and insisting that any peace agreement will require his approval.
Nonetheless, Israel has accepted Mr. Abbas, as has the rest of the world. His status was confirmed last week at the summit between him, Mr. Sharon and U.S. President George W. Bush at the Jordanian resort of Aqaba, where they agreed to the implementation of the "road map," the peace plan laid out by the U.S., the European Union, Russia and the United Nations. Immediately after, the scale of the challenges that Mr. Abbas faces was apparent.