Ramallah West Bank – In the countdown to the Hamas takeover, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has broadened his already considerable authority, taking control of the state media and naming allies to top government jobs to make it harder for the Islamic militants to rule.
Some Abbas confidants said they hope a Hamas government left without key powers – and also isolated and short of cash – will be headed for quick failure.
Others said Abbas’ main goal is to protect the fiefdoms of his defeated Fatah Party, such as the security services, against Hamas raiders.
Despite Abbas’ last-minute moves, Hamas leaders have not attacked him, instead directing their anger at Fatah. The militants need Abbas as a fig leaf of international respectability and have avoided confrontation, sources say.
Hamas is also confident it can overturn some decisions once the new parliament convenes Saturday. However, Hamas may not be able to muster the necessary two-thirds majority in parliament.
For his part, Abbas could fire a Hamas-backed prime minister and appoint a new one, but he would need approval from parliament for his choice.
According to the Basic Law, a forerunner to a Palestinian constitution, Abbas cannot dissolve parliament even if he declares a state of emergency.
Israel and the United States are reportedly considering ways to bring down a Hamas government, mainly through an economic squeeze that would prompt Palestinians to clamor for the return of Fatah.
The international community has said it would cut off millions of dollars in aid once Hamas takes over.
Further broadening his powers, Abbas has taken back control over the Palestinian Broadcasting Corp., which runs Palestine TV and the Voice of Palestine radio station, officials said Tuesday.
Last year, Abbas transferred the broadcasting authority to the Information Ministry.
