Abbas Receives “Hope for Peace” Award from German Organization

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been awarded the “Hope for Peace” prize by the German Steiger organization. The presentation was made in Dortmund on Saturday. The Steiger Award, which is self-described as recognizing awardees for their “straightforwardness, openness, humanity and tolerance,” – values of the Rhur region miner — said on its website that Abbas was selected “as a clear signal” regarding the “stagnant” Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In reporting the award, the Palestinian news agency Ma’an noted that, “In the 12 years of Abbas’ rule, the PA has been on the receiving end of mounting criticism over its corruption and seeming inability to advance towards a just solution for Palestinians.”