U.S. President Biden and the Palestinian Authority in Bethlehem

-        "The Palestinian Authority also has important work to do"..... "The time has now come to strengthen Palestinian institutions and improve governance, transparency, accountability." ...From U.S. President Biden's speech in Bethlehem yesterday, Friday 15-7.

-        U.S. President...Biden...concluded his remarks...in Bethlehem in response to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s speech, following the meeting that took place between them at the presidential headquarters in Bethlehem yesterday, Friday 15-7-2022. Saying....that "the Palestinian Authority now has important work to do..also, (if you don’t mind me saying), ...the time has now come to strengthen Palestinian institutions and improve governance, transparency, accountability...... All of this work is critical. It helps build a society that can support a successful democratic future, and a future Palestinian state. The United States will work with you, (President Abbas), every step of the way."

-        This came near the end of President Biden’s speech, which consisted of about 1,190 words (according to my review of the speech texts in English since I could not find it in the Arabic version of the speech), and such remarks directed at the Palestinian Authority...complement his reference in his speech before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the tally of financial assistance to the Palestinians...after President Biden resumed pumping them when he took office..noting that these aids had been cut off by his predecessor President Trump....President Biden continued in his speech to mention ongoing U.S. engagement with Israel regarding ways to spur greater Palestinian economic growth..including through implementation of 4G mobile networks, increasing supplies of renewable energy, and improving freedom of movement for Palestinians, whether individuals or goods...". ....Then came the remark that titles this post, which it was understood he was asking President Abu Mazen’s permission to say..by saying...(if you do not mind saying it)...!

-        I see that making such a remark....in this haste in President Biden’s speech...is inappropriate!! (If you share my view)....If American aid..has been resumed...there should not be (finger-pointing) especially if it comes from (the same good intention)!…...Such remarks and advice..and recommendations.....which are the donor’s right..there is no dispute about that. ...But the usual practice..and it is not new…is that they occur in meetings between specialists, experts, diplomats, and auditing bodies from both sides, not in front of the whole world!