By Baruch Yedid/TPS • 30 July, 2019
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is confused and at loss over the lack of Israel’s response to its most recent threat to annul all agreements with Israel, a source in Ramallah told TPS.
PA head Mahmoud Abbas on Friday declared an end to all the signed agreements with Israel following Israel’s demolition of 10 illegally- built structure in the Arab neighborhood of Sur Baher in Jerusalem.
However, “Israel’s silence is making Abbas lose his mind,” the source said.
The source further related that despite Abbas’ threats, all cooperation between Israel and the PA continues as usual.
He added that the committee established to implement Abbas’ threat is insignificant, as such a committee was established three years ago, but has done nothing.
Professional elements within the PA believe that any cessation of the agreements with Israel would cause severe damage to the PA’s economy.
In the meantime, several Gazan factions, including the Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are demanding that Abbas abide by his pledges and cut all ties with Israel, including the security coordination with the IDF.
Hamas, through its media organs, has ridiculed Abbas for his repeated threat to annul all the agreements with Israel, statements he has not actualized, partially because of the PA’s inability to detach itself from the Israeli economy.
Hamas commentators in the media have told Abbas to “first build a strategic backing of the Arab and Islamic countries and gain their support before disengaging from Israel. they noted the PA’s complete dependence on Israel’s and its lack of air, ground or seaports, a reality which has rendered it a hostage in Israel’s hands.
Sources within the PA told TPS that Abbas tried to make a point and show force, but failed.
“These repeated threats make the PA look ridiculous,” the officials say.
TPS has also learned that a behind-the-scenes plan to save the PA’s failing economy has so far failed. TPS learned earlier this month that Israel is considering waiving NIS 200 million a month of PA tax payments to Israel for fuel in order to alleviate the PA financial crisis.
However, an array of technical issues has still not been agreed upon, as the PA announced this week that it will be paying only 60% of its employees’ salaries.
The IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) refused to comment on its cooperation with the PA.