Abbas: Any Israeli application of sovereignty is ‘null and void’

PA chairman: If Israel implements sovereignty plan, it will have to undertake its responsibilities over the area.

Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas warned on Wednesday that if Israel implements its plan to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, it would have to undertake its responsibilities over the territories as “an occupying power”.

Speaking through video link to the Arab Parliament and quoted by the Xinhua news agency, Abbas said that applying sovereignty to any part of “Palestinian land” is “null and void,” while reiterating his rejection of US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan.

Abbas stressed that the PA leadership’s decision to leave all agreements and understandings with Israel does not mean ending peace, but that the Palestinian Arabs are ready to work for peace under a multilateral international mechanism.

He added that he is willing to work for an international peace conference and an international umbrella that includes the International Quartet to overlook the peace process on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

Abbas urged the Arab Parliament to exert all efforts to convey to the US administration that the Palestinians extend their hands for peace as well as its rejection of any plans that allow for the “annexation of the Palestinian territories.”

The PA is outraged over the coalition agreement between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, which stipulates that the government can apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria in July.

Saeb Erekat, Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said earlier this week that the PA is preparing to present a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council against the Israeli plan to apply sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria.

PA cabinet leader Mohammad Shtayyeh recently called on countries in the European Union to recognize a Palestinian state, claiming that doing so will thwart Israel sovereignty plans.