The Occupied Territories are effectively split into two separate entities with Hamas in charge of Gaza and Fatah controlling the West Bank. The Bush administration appears to have settled on the outcome. There are reports today the White House will boost aid to Abbas while allowing Gaza to slip into further despair in order to weaken Hamas’ popular standing. On Thursday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave her backing to Abbas.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “President Abbas has exercised his lawful authority as president of Palestinian Authority and as leader of the Palestinian people. I’d remind everyone, he was elected in 2005 by a large margin, and we fully support him in his decision to try and end the crisis for the Palestinian people and return to peace and a better future.”