PLO Torpedoing Peace With Vote to Not Recognize Israel

A [PLO Central Council’] statement posted on [the “Palestinian News and Info Agency”] WAFA, said, ”In view of Israel's continued denial of the signed agreements, the PCC (PLO Central Council), in confirmation of its previous decision and considering that the transitional phase no longer exists, decides to end the commitments of the PLO and the Palestinian Authority towards its agreements with the occupying power, suspend recognition of the state of Israel until its recognition of the state of Palestine on the June 4, 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital, end security coordination in all its forms, and disengage economically from Israel on the grounds that the transitional phase, including the Paris Economic Protocols no longer exist.”

The move comes as relations between the United States and the Palestinian Authority are at an all time low, with the Trump Administration closing the PA’s representative office in Washington, DC and its announcement to close its pseudo embassy to the PA, the Consulate General in Jerusalem.

The Trump Administration has also cut its financial assistance to the PA and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

US President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a peace plan in the coming months. The PA has already publicly rejected the plan, even before it has been presented to it.

The PLO dramatic statement also comes as Egypt, the United Nations and Israel have bypassed the PA in hopes of reaching an understanding or even a long term truce with Hamas in Gaza that would put an end to the rocket fire and border violence.

Egypt and the UN have pressured Abbas to halt the severe sanctions he had imposed on the Gaza Strip, including cutting funding for fuel and failure to pay salaries, in hopes of forcing Hamas to end is 11-year rule of the enclave.

In its Monday night statement the PLO said that only its representatives and not Hamas, were authorized to negotiate a deal to end Gaza violence with Israel.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett responded to the PLO's announcement by stating: “The Palestinians have never been serious about recognizing Israel. They have always been planning to destroy Israel piece by piece and throw the Jews out of our land."

“The charade has ended. They have shown their true colors - the Palestinians are not interested in peace and never have been.”

https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/PLO-announces-the-cessation-of-recognition-of-the-State-of-Israel-570661