Israeli minister demands drastic measures against PA if it annuls peace accords

Minister Yuval Steinitz is calling for drastic measures against the Palestinian Authority if it nullifies the Oslo peace accords with Israel.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz called for acute measures against the Palestinian Authority (PA) if it declares the annulment of the peace accords between Israel and PA.

Responding on Monday to a report that PA Chair Mahmoud Abbas is planning to declare an end to the diplomatic process during his address to the UN General Assembly later this month, Steinitz told Kol Israel Radio that to a great extent the Palestinians have already rendered the accords meaningless because they do not abide by its key commitments.

If the PA does in fact move forward with this drastic move, Israel’s response, in Steinitz’s opinion, should be sharp and palpable, including economic, diplomatic and security-related sanctions.

Steinitz reiterated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to the peace process and his willingness to meet with Abbas in order to renew the diplomatic process with no prior conditions.

The Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported on Monday on Abbas’ intentions, which would in effect dissolve the PA and return all control to Israel. A decision whether to nullify the agreement will be put to a vote by the 700-member Palestinian National Council (PNC), the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) legislative body.

A Palestinian official told  Kol Israel Radio that the PNC has not yet voted on the motion but that the threat is concrete, adding that “everything will change” after Abbas’ address at the UN at the end of September.