PA President Abbas' pact with terror group Hamas leads Obama to throw in the towel on mideast peace push

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas gave a nod to Israeli sensitivities this week by denouncing the Holocaust as "the most heinous crime against humanity" in modern times. But while talking the talk, he walked the walk in the opposite direction by making a unity pact with the Holocaust-denying terror group Hamas which controls the Gaza strip.

That move, in which the PA is now linked to a group actively seeking Israel's destruction as well as advocating the murder of Jews has led President Obama to say it may be time for a "pause" in US attempts to broker a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. That pause may be a very long one. US anti-terror legislation may require a cessation of funding to the Palestinian Authority or even dealings with them.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu said today on CBS' Face the Nation, "President Abbas has to decide whether he wants a pact with Hamas or peace with Israel.  He cannot speak out of both sides of his mouth.  He cannot embrace Hamas and say that he wants peace with Israel." Abbas' move may be a setback to the current strategy of building up the economy and government institutions in the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. Unless there is a significant development on the Palestinian side, if there is to be any progress, it may be that the terms of a future agreement may have to be imposed upon rather than negotiated with the Palestinians.

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday a "pause" might be needed in U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, suggesting leaders on both sides lacked the will to make the necessary compromises.

Israel on Thursday suspended participation in negotiations with the Palestinians in response to President Mahmoud Abbas's unexpected unity pact with the rival Islamist Hamas group, which Israel and the United States consider a terrorist organization.