With Gaza poised on the brink of civil war, pity poor Mahmoud Abbas, who took over as president of the Palestinian Authority two and a half years ago, after the death of Yasser Arafat. An academic by profession, Abbas has tried mightily to lead the Palestinian people with civility, adherence to democratic principles, and public disdain for violence.
随着加沙地带滑向内战的边缘，令人不由得同情两年半以前接替去世的阿拉法特执掌巴勒斯坦权力机构的阿巴斯。作为一名学者出身的领导人，阿巴斯竭力以文人作风领导巴勒斯坦民众，恪守民主原则、鄙视暴力。