Abbas Ends Palestinians’ Agreements With Israel, Including Security Cooperation

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas denounces the Trump administration's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York City, Feb. 11, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared an end to all agreements with Israel, including security cooperation, effectively turning over to Israel’s government the running of the entire West Bank.

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“The Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine are absolved, as of today, of all the agreements and understandings with the American and Israeli governments and of all the commitments based on these understandings and agreements, including the security ones,” Abbas said in a speech in Ramallah, which functions as the capital of the Palestinian Authority.

“The Israeli occupation authority, as of today, has to shoulder all responsibilities and obligations in front of the international community as an occupying power over the territory of the occupied state of Palestine, with all its consequences and repercussions,” he said, according to the Wafa news agency.

It’s not clear what steps Abbas will take next. In the past he has threatened to end agreements that he claims Israel has already abrogated before retreating from the threats. The finality of this statement, however, seems to be heralding the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, the last vestige of the Oslo peace talks, as well as the dismantling of security cooperation with Israel, which Israeli security chiefs have said has been critical in keeping the West Bank relatively quiet.

Abbas said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank left him no choice, and he blamed the Trump administration’s “peace vision” unveiled in January. The plan allows Israel to annex some territory, but in coordination with the Palestinians.

Abbas said the PLO remained committed to the two-state outcome, adding that he planned to seek recognition of statehood in a number of international forums.

The Trump administration and Israel have cautioned the Palestinians against seeking statehood recognition, describing it as a unilateral act — the same term Palestinians use to describe Netanyahu’s annexation plans.

The U.S. has little leverage to use on Abbas, with the administration having cut almost all assistance, except money for security cooperation.


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8 Comments
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MTL
MTL
3 years ago

Because there was a functional agreement to be discontinued in the first place.

Mahmoud in Mecca
Mahmoud in Mecca
3 years ago

Howling like a lonely old coyote.
Arab nations warming to Israel, and despise the PLO and Hamas
He and Arafat were offered 98% by 2 Israeli PMs and refused.
Annex.

Was a democrat then I saw the ligh
Was a democrat then I saw the ligh
3 years ago

No problem you want out ok cut off electric that’s supplied by isreal hold back payments stop all entry to isreal. See how long he can hold out. The Arab countries are tired of them. Only the socialist European countries still do his bidding

An eye for an eye
An eye for an eye
3 years ago

Okay. So Israel should cut off their electric and fresh water.

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
3 years ago

He might as well. They will be pretty well null once Israel annexes the whole area. I wonder if Abbas will want a cabinet portfolio or if he will be satisfied as a simple MK representing all those new Israelis.

Educated Boro parker
Educated Boro parker
3 years ago

Besides cutting off their water and electric offer free boat rides to Europe and let them get stuck with all these vilda Chayas. Europe will pay Israel to stop sending them.

Educated Boro parker
Educated Boro parker
3 years ago

Also dont forget to take back the fifty thousand guns that this idiotic Rabin gave their forces as part of Oslo.

Democrats support Jew haters and are anti religious freedom
Democrats support Jew haters and are anti religious freedom
3 years ago

Abbas who is currently in the 15th year of his 4 year term as president is hoping that Dementia Joe wins the election so that the terrorists can be funded again and Israel condemned at every turn and blamed for everything like it was under the previous administration.