Abbas: Israel threatens to boycott PA if unity government is formed

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas said that Israel is threatening to boycott the PA if a national unity government is formed.

In a speech before 70 French pro-Palestinian activists on Saturday in Ramallah, Abbas said that Palestinian leadership will take action in case this boycott is implemented.

The Palestinian unity government is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday.

“We will take it step by step. We will not be the initiators of any action. However, any Israeli step will be met by a reaction from our side,” Abbas told his audience.

He added: “Israel is punishing us for our agreement with Hamas, but the government is formed by technocrats and is not related to any faction.”