Barghouti tells Abbas to reconsider relations with Israel

The Palestinian Authority should put an end to all forms of political, economic and security relations with Israel, jailed political leader Marwan Barghouti has said. Barghouti called on President Mahmoud Abbas to reconsider links with the Israelis and insist on a new framework for holding talks with the occupation authorities.

“If the Palestinian Authority wants to return to negotiations,” he said in a written statement, “it must be under the auspices of the United Nations, based on the international legitimacy resolutions and for a period not exceeding six months.”

According to the popular leader, the negotiations must aim to persuade the Israelis to withdraw to the pre-1967 borders and recognise the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. This would include the establishment of a sovereign, fully independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem. Palestinian refugees would also have the right to return to their homes in accordance with UN resolution 194, and all Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel – of which he is perhaps the most well-known – should be released.

Barghouti called on the Palestinian leadership to complete its accession to international conventions and the International Criminal Court and renew the Palestinian Authority’s mandate to be the nucleus for an independent Palestinian state.