More on this phenomenon. “Middle East: Arab World’s Mixed Response to Sharon’s Health,” from AKI, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
Jerusalem, 5 Jan. (AKI) – The Arab world on Thursday watched carefully developments concerning Israeli premier’s Ariel Sharon’s critical health condition, but its response was mixed. Palestinian Authority (PA) officials including president Mahmoud Abbas voiced concern for the future of the peace process in Sharon’s possible absence. “On a purely humanitarian level we feel sorry for Mr. Sharon,” PA deputy Prime Minister Nabil Sha’ath, was quoted as saying by the Tel Aviv daily Haaretz.
“Politically it will increase the uncertainty we are facing to get back to the peace process,” he said. “It is highly unpredictable to tell what will happen.”…
But in Damascus, home to several radical Palestinian groups, the response was far from clement.
“We say it frankly that God is great and is able to exact revenge on this butcher. … We thank God for this gift he presented to us on this new year,” Ahmed Jibril, leader of the Syrian-backed faction Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, a small radical group, told the Associated Press.
He said Sharon’s legacy would be one of huge damage inflicted on the Palestinian people.
In Lebanon, Islamic Jihad leader Anwar Abu Taha said, “We are not sorry about his health and let him go to hell whether he lives or dies… we in Islamic Jihad shall continue our holy war until we regain our rights.”…