Palestinian rivals, both from his own Fatah party and from the Islamists of Hamas, as well as the Israelis, perceived Abbas s civility as weakness.

While office equipment may be speedily procured without too much disruption in the workflow, changes that have an impact on the careers, livelihood, and ingrained habits of individuals need a more subtle approach.

He never had a chance. Palestinian rivals, both from his own Fatah party and from the Islamists of Hamas, as well as the Israelis, perceived Abbas s civility as weakness.

Pledges of billions of dollars are announced. A smiling new head of state graciously thanks the international community, including the occupying power.

In fact, there is nothing at all graceful about this. For politicians to say one thing now when everyone knows they will soon say the opposite is guaranteed to erode trust in Europe s leaders.

We know that in 1986 all Members of the United Nations strove to help us, but their humanitarian, technical and moral assistance was tactlessly ignored, not by the peoples of the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia but by the political leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.