Abu Mazen's speech to the PLO Central Council capped the difficult week that has passed for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, a week that ended with the announcement of a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, and later – with the Israeli cabinet's decision to freeze the negotiations with the Palestinians and impose sanctions on the PA.
This morning, Abbas made an effort to calm the situation, making it clear that the new government that will be formed will accept all agreements signed in the past and recognize Israel. As you may recall, in recent months, Abbas has refused to declare recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, which has repeatedly derailed talks between the parties.
""I recognize Israel and it will recognize Israel. I reject violence and it will reject violence," he said, referring to the new government that will be formed. "I recognize the legitimacy of the international agreements and it will recognize them. The government is committed to everything that I am committed to. Let no one now claim that this is a government of terror.".
Abu Mazen added that he sees importance in reconciliation with Hamas, and also presented his demands for the continuation of negotiations – implementation of the fourth phase, drawing the borders within three months, and a complete halt to construction in the settlements. "The new government's affairs are purely internal," he clarified, adding that Israel has also made deals with Hamas in the past. "Our goal is to establish a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We continue on the path to achieving this goal and have not given up on reaching it. We want to achieve our rights through negotiations," said Abu Mazen.
He also praised John Kerry's efforts to advance the talks. "I've met with him 40 times in the last eight months, this is proof that he is serious and determined," he added, emphasizing that "we need results.".
In an extensive historical review, he spoke about the negotiations, from Oslo to the Palestinians' appeal to the UN institutions several months ago. Among other things, he spoke about the great seriousness of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in reaching a solution, while attacking Netanyahu. "Today there is Israeli determination that there will be no solution." He even added that Kerry told him, "Netanyahu does not believe in you, and therefore he demands that the prisoners be released in four stages during the negotiations." Although he agreed to this, he said, he insisted that they return to their homes, including the 14 Arab-Israeli prisoners.
As for Israel's anger over the reconciliation agreement, Abu Mazen said that Israel always said, "Who will we marry and give to - the West Bank or the Gaza Strip?" And now, when we signed an agreement, they said, "Choose - either peace or Hamas.".
Abu Mazen also addressed his threat to dissolve the leadership, saying that if the negotiations fail, Israel will be forced to take responsibility for the Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Central Council meeting will end on Sunday, during which the members will discuss policy developments towards Israel as well as the issue of internal Palestinian reconciliation.
Currently, Israel is determined not to continue the talks. Atid chairman, Minister Yair Lapid, made it clear over the weekend that Israel, on the one hand, will never give up on the idea that a separation needs to be created between us and the Palestinians, but, he emphasized, "we will not talk to Hamas, who just a few days ago fired rockets at Israel.".
At the same time, it is difficult to ignore the fact that at Thursday's cabinet meeting, significant disagreements emerged, including over the question of economic sanctions to be imposed on the PA. Minister Naftali Bennett proposed much heavier sanctions than his colleagues. In contrast, Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Yesh Atid ministers, and Minister Tzipi Livni supported a moderate announcement regarding the cessation of talks and sanctions.
On Saturday, senior Israeli political figures continued to make it clear that if the Palestinian unity government is implemented, the suspension of the negotiations will become permanent. "The chairman of the PA today carried out a fatal verification of the political process while Israel is making sincere efforts to advance the negotiations. In the next three weeks, we will see which way the wind blows in Ramallah. If Abu Mazen realizes that we are serious in our approach and withdraws from implementing the establishment of the unity government, we will reexamine our position. But if not, the suspension of the talks will become permanent.".
At the same time, cabinet members are trying to reach an agreement on how to maintain relations between the parties, despite the freeze in negotiations. According to Minister Tzipi Livni, the current situation is harmful to Israel's international relations and image, and without an agreement, Israel must determine the political reality in the West Bank alone.
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