Wikileaks: Israel Assessed Abbas as Weak, Unpopular (Agence France-Presse)

Nov. 29, 2010 (Agence France-Presse) -- Senior Israeli defense and political figures described President Mahmoud Abbas as weak, unpopular and unlikely to survive politically past 2011, leaked US diplomatic cables showed on Monday.

In meetings with US representatives, Israeli officials ranging from then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, to senior defense official Amos Gilad expressed doubt about Abbas's political longevity.

"It was widely agreed that President Abbas is currently in a weakened political state, and Israeli officials generally cast a dour assessment of Abbas's future," said one cable, recounting details of a 2009 meeting between US assistant defense secretary Alexander Vershbow and Israeli defense officials.

"In one exchange, Amos Gilad stated his opinion that Abbas will not survive politically past the year 2011," the cable said.

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