Fatah: Israel poses a real danger to President Abbas' life

Nabil Shaath, a member of the central committee of Fatah, confirmed that the life of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is currently at risk in light of Israel’s escalating threats against him.

Earlier this month, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni publicly stated that if Abbas continues his refusal to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, then “he will pay the price.”

On Wednesday Shaath responded that: “There’s a serious risk to Abbas’s life after the head of the negotiating team, Tzipi Livni, threatened him because the president [is determined to adhere] to his people’s rights and his faith in God, his movement and his people after he announced that he will not give up on the national goals.”

Regarding the Palestinian Authority’s options if the negotiations fail, Shaath said that the president would not extend the negotiations unless a framework agreement is reached.

He explained that, “If April is here and all the Israelis’ demands of a Jewish State, the Israeli army’s existence in the Jordan Valley and for the settlements, we won’t extend for a single day,” stressing the readiness of the Palestinian leadership for a real peace process based on international law and the recognition of Palestinian rights.