The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah understands that the die has been cast. The new friendships between Israel and Arab countries are a definite fact. Either the Palestinians adapt to the new reality or they face a new and strange front, Israel united with Arab countries. This is alien to them, and that is why Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas must take a new direction.

In line with that thinking, Abbas turned down the request by Christian Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi to take over the job of the late Saeb Erekat, who served for many years as chief negotiator in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. “He wants something new, not the same,” said Israeli journalist and Middle East expert Ehud Yaari.

“‘Israel’s new normalization of relations with the Arab world should also no longer be attacked or condemned,’ the Fatah leadership announced in a message sent out to all Palestinian activists and politicians. Everyone was ordered to shut up with regard to normalization. The statement declared that Donald Trump will disappear in a short time and that the Palestinians want to be more friendly...