Abed Rabbo: Netanyahu uses settlers' disappearance to appear as victim

Secretary of the Palestinian Liberation Movement Yasser Abed Rabbo accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “capitalising on the disappearance of three settlers in Hebron to appear as a victim in the eyes of the international community, and to suggest that the Palestinian unity government is the one which sabotaged his efforts towards peace.”

In an interview with Voice of Palestine radio channel Sunday, Abed Rabbo said the PLO rejects Netanyahu’s accusations, stressing that Israeli occupation should be held responsible for the crimes and violations committed on Palestinian lands.

“The Netanyahu government covered up the crimes committed by settlers, protected them, and has not clearly condemned them. And now he wants to hold us responsible for what we have no responsibility for,” Abed Rabbo added.

He pointed out that Netanyahu seeks to appear in front of his people as a hardliner, and in front of the world as a victim.

“Whoever wants peace should put an end to the violations committed by gangster settlers, and stop the looting of Palestinian lands, and to uphold the principles of international law,” he said.

Concerning punitive measures announced by Israel against the Palestinian government and the PA, Abed Rabbo said they will have negative ramifications for Netanyahu’s government and those who support it, “because the world will not accept the policies of collective punishment, such as travel bans imposed on senior officials, withdrawing IDs, and blocking the transfer of tax money.”

Abed Rabbo pointed out that the PLO’s Executive Committee will meet later today (Sunday), headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, to discuss the latest political developments, adding that the meeting would discuss resorting to international institutions in defense of Palestinian rights.

Three Israeli settlers had disappeared on Thursday night in the settlement of Gush Etzion north of Hebron. Israel held the PA responsible for their safety, and Netanyahu announced on Saturday evening that the three “were kidnapped by a terrorist organization” which he did not name.

The Israeli army imposed a security cordon on Hebron last night per the instructions of Secretary of Defense Moshe Yaalon, in an effort to find the three settlers.