Palestinians Vow: 'Deal of the Century' Will Not Pass

Arab World

January 25th, 8:40am

Ramallah - Kifah Zboun

A female demonstrator runs for cover during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip (File photo: Reuters)

Palestinian officials and factions pledged that the so-called US “deal of the century” President Donald Trump is expected to announce within days will not pass, warning against crossing the “red lines." The Palestinian Presidency said that its position is “clear and consistent” in rejecting Trump's decisions regarding Jerusalem, denying that the US administration discussed the issue with the Palestinians “neither briefly nor at length.” In earlier statements, Trump said the deal was partially discussed with Palestinian officials. Presidency Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh denied that the Presidency held talks with the US administration on the “deal of the century.” “The Palestinian leadership has a clear and unwavering position, rejecting Trump’s decisions on Jerusalem and other issues as well as everything that has to do with the so-called deal of the century,” confirmed Abu Rudeineh. The spokesman warned that if the deal is announced in its rejected format, the leadership will announce a series of measures to protect Palestinians’ legitimate rights, and demand Israel to assume its full responsibilities as an occupying power. Earlier, Trump told reporters on AirForce One that he would unveil his peace plan in the Middle East before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington next week. “They both would like to do the deal. They want to see peace,” said Trump. Asked by reporters if he was in touch with the Palestinians for his proposal, the US president said: “We’ve spoken to them briefly. But we will speak to them in a period of time.” Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erakat reminded the international community that “Israel is an Occupying Power of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders (East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza strip). Any deal, attempt or dictation that ignores this fact, will be recorded in history as the Fraud of the century.” The Palestinian position has not changed towards the US peace plan since the boycott that followed the Trump declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel at the end of 2017. Hamas pledged to confront the deal and said that any project that does not grant them their full rights will not pass, and all attempts to pass this deal will be destroyed by Palestinian people. Leaks say the proposed US plan would give Israel sovereignty all over Jerusalem, including the Old City, with only symbolic Palestinian representation in Jerusalem. According to the leaks, there is no role for Palestinians in controlling the borders, and Israel will have full security control over the Jordan Valley and retain its sovereignty in all “open lands” in Area C of the West Bank. If Israel accepts the deal and Palestinians reject it, Israel will get US support to start annexing settlements unilaterally. Palestinians would be granted a state within 5 years, but only if Gaza was demilitarized, Hamas abandoned its weapons, and the Palestinians recognized Israel as a Jewish state with Jerusalem as its capital, claimed the leaks.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2098766/palestinians-vow-deal-century-will-not-pass