Syrian Lion
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2012
- Messages
- 7,264
- Reaction score
- 3
- Country
- Location
Abbas: If stalemate continues after elections, Netanyahu can take back the keys to the West Bank
RAMALLAH - If diplomatic stagnation continues after the Israeli election and construction in the settlements doesn't stop, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will dismantle the PA and return responsibility for the West Bank to the Israeli government, he told Haaretz in an interview on Thursday.
Abbas also claimed that since the PA achieved nonmember state with observer status at the United Nations last month, Israel has reduced its security cooperation with the PA in the West Bank.
"If there is no progress even after the election I will take the phone and call [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu," Abbas said. "I'll tell him, 'my dear friend, Mr. Netanyahu, I am inviting you to the Muqata [the PA presidential headquarters in Ramallah]. Sit in the chair here instead of me take the keys, and you will be responsible for the Palestinian Authority."
"Once the new government in Israel is in place, Netanyahu will have to decide -- yes or no," Abbas said.
The interview with Abbas took place after he held a meeting in the Muqata with Meretz chairman MK Zahava Gal-On in the run-up to the January 22 election.
During the election campaign, other parties, most notably the Likud and Labor, have been playing down the Palestinian issue as much as possible.
More: Abbas: If stalemate continues after elections, Netanyahu can take back the keys to the West Bank - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper