Abbas refuses to recognise Israel as a Jewish state

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated on Monday in Ramallah that he cannot accept Netanyahu’s demand to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, stressing that he “will not betray the Palestinian people or their rights”.

Abbas’s remarks came during the 13th session of Al-Fatah’s Revolutionary Council. “The final status issues are being discussed in the negotiations. The Palestinian negotiating team will never waive the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem on the territories occupied in 1967,” he said.

A member of the Revolutionary Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, quoted Abbas as saying that: “I cannot accept recognising Israel as a Jewish despite the great pressure being exerted on me.”

The Palestinian president added that: “I am 79 years old and I will not give up the Palestinians’ rights or betray their just cause.”

Abbas noted that the Palestinian people might have to endure financial blockade because of their stance; but he vowed not to change this stance despite all the pressure.

The Revolutionary Council is the movement’s legislative body and is comprised of 132 members, including members of Al-Fatah’s Central Committee. Al-Fatah is the main party within the PLO and the Palestinian Authority.