Abbas, Israel and the U.S seem to be relying a mutually beneficial fantasy in order to sustain a “Peace Process” fiction. Abbas gets to fantasize that he is still relevant, Israel gets to protract an image of “willing partner”. None of this is related to reality.

Mahmoud Abbas is no longer President of the Palestinian Authority His term ended over a year ago:

On 9 January 2009, Abbas term as president, at least as he was originally elected, ended. Abbas extended his term for another year, stating the Basic Law gave him the right to do so, so he could align the next presidential and parliamentary elections. Pointing to the Palestinian constitution, Hamas disputes the validity of this move, and considers Abbas’ term to have ended, in which case Abdel Aziz Duwaik, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council has become acting president.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Abbas#Presidency

It is testament to Hamas’ tolerance (contrary to the image portrayed in the MSM) and their respect for the political process that he has not been forcibly removed.

Hamas’ majority support and PLO unpopularity is due to one simple factor. Hamas are sworn never to abandon the right of return or compensation for the refugees of 1948 and 1967 - rights that are guaranteed under the Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The PLO have given up this right in return for the support and bribery of the U.S. and Israel.

The simple fact is that it won’t work.

A just settlement is only possible if the Refugee question is addressed and only a just settlement has any chance of succeeding.

Negotiating with PLO officials who no longer represent the Palestinian people while occupation and settlement goes on is simply a PR exercise designed to sustain the fiction that Israel is interested in a Palestinian State. Concluding a “Peace Settlement” that has no chance of success is the desired outcome for Israel and her supporters in the U.S. It’s eventual failure would justify the eventual absorption and subjugation of the indigenous people of Palestine who, despite owning good title to approximately 80% of the land, are confined to an ever-shrinking 22% which they must share with a half-million illegal settlers whose numbers increase by the day.