Introduction:
The world´s optimism about the peace process is largely a function of seeing PM Mahmoud Abbas, as the new accepted leader of the PA. But how do the Palestinians see things? A quick look at the front page of the PA’s official daily, Al Hayat al Jadida, gives an interesting perspective.

Since June 19th, the front page of the PA daily has had 17 pictures of Yassir Arafat and only 6 pictures of the Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). Most of the Arafat pictures are large and appear at the very top of the page, while Abbas’ face is always small, the size of a coin. Arafat’s face is often the entire picture while Abbas is always with other people in meetings. In one picture Arafat is kissing a little girl.

Even today, the day after the Aqaba Summit, Arafat’s close up picture appears on the top of the page, while Abbas appears from a distance and lower down. An article on the front pages reports that Arafat called the Palestinian delegation to give them instructions.

One of the few days when a picture of Abbas appeared without Arafat, the headline of the front page was: “Abu Mazen: Arafat is the legitimate chosen leader.” [May 21, 2003] This message also appears today in the PA daily Al Ayyam: “Abu Mazen attacks the attempts to distance Arafat, who is the symbol and the chosen President… his relations with Arafat are good and he coordinates his steps with him.”

There is a great difference between the world’s perception of the leadership roles in the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian’s perception. Within the PA today Arafat is still the supreme leader and the one who will make all the decisions regarding the future relations with Israel.

And the pictures are worth a thousand words. [A-Hayat al-Jadida, May 26, 2003] [A-Hayat al-Jadida, May 25, 2003]