The Palestinian Authority is objecting to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying that it is up to Israel to decide on annexing the West Bank.
PA President Mahmoud Abbas says in a pre-Ramadan address that he has told Israel and the US that any annexation will lead to the cancellation of all accords with them, an oft-repeated threat.
Nabil Abu Rdeineh, a spokesman for Abbas, says the US does not have the right to give away Palestinian land, predicting that the comments will be used as a green light for Israel’s new government to push ahead with annexation plans.
He adds that the comments prove that the US cannot be a mediator in peace negotiations.
The PA Foreign Ministry also speaks out against Pompeo, calling his comments more proof that America is involved in helping Israel annex swaths of lands the Palestinians claim for their future state.
Speaking to EU diplomat Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh says Israel’s annexation drive will destroy the two-state solution, urging the Quartet to stymie Jerusalem.
PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki also urges French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian to rally Europe to the side of the Palestinians to stop Israel’s plans.
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