Middle East - Abbas As Arafat

Melanie Phillips reports it's business as usual under Abbas. For those who thought progress was possibe for the Palestinians after the death of Arafat, think again.

- 'The PA’s state television has been accusing Israel of poisoning Palestinians with radiation.

- 'An advertisement sending birthday greetings to Saddam Hussein was published yesterday in the official Palestinian Authority daily newspaper, Al Hayat Al Jadida

- 'PA TV last week rebroadcast a religious program maligning Christians and Jews.

- 'The Palestinian Authority (PA) reported this week on the "escape" from prison of the two terrorists they had arrested after the Tel Aviv suicide bombing in February.

And today Reuters reports "Palestinians say won't disarm militants".

GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority reiterated Wednesday it had no intention of disarming militants despite constant Israeli calls for such a move and a recent pledge to crack down on unlicensed weapons.

The announcement came amid growing friction between armed factions and security forces following the arrest of two Hamas men after a gunfight Monday night. The militants were accused of planning to attack Israel in defiance of a cease-fire.

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