Part 4/8:
Conrius was highly skeptical. He pointed out that Abbas has had multiple opportunities to recognize Israel and end the conflict, but he has repeatedly refused, despite generous offers from Israel that included land swaps and a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem. Abbas has been in power for over two decades without holding elections, largely because his regime fears losing to Hamas. He is viewed as corrupt, unpopular, and lacking legitimacy among his own people.
He further argued that Abbas’s promises should be taken with a grain of salt. His credibility has long been in question, and he is not trusted by Palestinians or the global community. Conrius underscored that Abbas’s claims to cease payments to terrorists are untrustworthy, highlighting the ongoing support structures for Hamas.