Palestine Analysis: Can US Make the Most of Moves by Abbas and Hamas?

On Saturday, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone. Abbas expressed his condolences over the deadly fire in Israel, and Netanyahu expressed his thanks for the help of Palestinian civil defence members. 

Beyond that conciliatory conversation, there were significant political manoeuvres. On Friday, in a TV interview, Abbas --- who has previously spoken of resignation or an approach to the UN for unilateral recognition of Palestine, said that he could ask Israel to re-take control of the West Bank:

If all efforts fail, I will tell the Americans and the Israelis come and put an end to all this. I can't continue like this. We have an occupation and we don't. No, keep it all and release me (from my responsibility).

As Abbas was playing his latest card, Brazil --- despite US disapproval --- recognised the state of Palestine based on the borders before Israel seized control of the West Bank in 1967. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said the decision was in response to a request made by Abbas.

And Hamas had their own move. Gaza-based leader Ismail Haniya said Hamas would accept a referendum over any peace agreement reached by the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Previously, Hamas had maintained the principle of "no referendum on stable rights", but it is now signalling to Washington that it is ready to be included in peace negotiations. And, through the US, Hamas is also letting Ramallah know that it is time for West Bank elites to give more concessions if they are serious about a real and genuine peace. 

Now the question: is Washington strong enough to revise its "honest broker" policy to make something of these developments?