Q&A: Fatah central committee Mohammed Shtayeh, on Netanyahu’s rejection of the French initiative, via (JMCC)
Fatah central committee Mohammed Shtayeh, on Netanyahu’s rejection of the French initiative, claiming he would meet with President Abbas in France and that the Palestinians are using the initiative in order to evade bilateral talks
Q: What do you make of Netanyahu’s rejection and will this affect the course of the French initiative?
First of all, these statements are just a way of diverting attention away from the core issue. Netanyahu wants to evade this international mobilization around this initiative; there is an alliance being formed in order to end the occupation and the French initiative is an international and not just French initiative to reach this objective. State of Palestine Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department
Q: How can the international community respond to this Israeli rejection?
We want the international community to respond, that’s for sure, because Israel cannot just evade this proposal. If it wants to continue its assault on the Palestinians, which is clear from this new coalition, then the international community must respond. And this is the perfect time to impose economic sanction on Israel and to put it before its responsibilities and duties. This community must demand and end to the Israeli occupation and it must recognize a Palestinian state.
Q: How can we use Netanyahu’s rejection to rally more support for this initiative and at the level of boycotting Israel?
To be frank, no one can blame us for anything. The Palestinians and its leadership has always been clear – we have always welcomed the French initiative and the peace conference. We have said that if Israel derails this initiative, the French and the international community must have a response and take action to make Israel to end its occupation and abide by international resolutions and laws.
Q: What steps must the Palestinians take in light of this extremist Israeli government?
The most important thing is that we must achieve national unity. We need a unifying PNC that will renew our spirit and introduce new blood. This must be a priority. In this sense we would also like to see an active Egyptian role in helping to achieve national reconciliation, especially since Egypt also has an interest in seeing Palestinian unity given the situation in the Sinai.
Q: Finally, what can you tell us about the PLO Central Council decisions that have not yet been implemented?
These decisions were voted on again, also inside Fatah, and the mechanisms have been put in place. We are very clear on this. We want security coordination with Israel to end once and for all.