Palestinian MP: Abbas will face same destiny as Arafat

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas could face the same fate of the late President Yasser Arafat over his position on the peace talks with Israel, Palestinian Legislative Council second deputy speaker Hassan Khreisheh warned yesterday.

Khreisheh said Abbas has faced considerable pressure over his unwavering refusal to recognise Israel as a Jewish state and the US sponsored framework agreement.

He revealed: “Israel and the US pressed Abbas to change his position by creating disputes within the Fatah movement to weaken his status and threatening to isolate him and the Palestinian Authority politically and financially.

“President Abbas refuses to recognise the Jewish state and will go to international human rights organisations if the negotiations fail.”

Khreisheh pointed out that Abbas’s insistence could push the US and Israel to search for an alternative to substitute him who would accept their terms.