Agencies-Gaza post
Al-Sheikh: “Relations with Israel have gotten so bad”
Hussein al-Sheikh, a top Palestinian official widely considered as a potential successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, claims that relations with Israel have deteriorated to the point where Palestinian officials can no longer conduct business as usual.
Even if they are sincere this time, they are limited in their alternatives, and they don’t seem likely to do anything that threatens their own little power in the occupied West Bank, which is largely based on their readiness to work with Israel.
Al-Sheikh defended Palestinian leadership in the West Bank in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Monday, saying it was doing the best it could under the challenging circumstances of Israel’s 55-year-old military occupation.
He stated that there is no choice but to cooperate in order to address Palestinians‘ basic needs as the point man in charge of interacting with Israel.
He said, “I am not an Israeli spokesperson in the Palestinian areas.” “We’re doing this cooperation because it’s the first step toward a political solution to end the occupation.”
Last month, Abbas elevated al-Sheikh to the position of secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The appointment has sparked speculation that al-Sheikh is being groomed for the top job, as well as criticism that Abbas, who has not held a nationwide election since 2006, is ignoring the wishes of his people once again.
Al-Sheikh, who is 61 years old, has refused to indicate whether he wants to succeed Abbas. He believes that the next president should be elected, but that this can only happen if Israel allows voting in all of east Jerusalem, thereby giving it a veto over any alternative leadership.
“The Palestinian president cannot be forced into office or come to power as a result of regional or international pressure.”
“The Palestinian president cannot be selected, nor can he be brought to power by force, nor can he be brought to power because of some regional or international interest, nor can he be brought in on an Israeli tank,” he stated.
Al-Sheikh repeated a tired refrain: Israel’s administration is subservient to right-wing nationalists, and its prime minister opposes Palestinian statehood. Settlements are growing, Palestinians are being displaced forcibly, and the United States and Europe are unable to stop it.
When asked about Abbas’ threat to break security relations or possibly withdraw recognition of Israel, a cornerstone of the Oslo peace process in the 1990s, al-Sheikh responded, “The Palestinian leadership is on the edge of making important and difficult decisions.” “In Israel, we don’t have a partner.” They are not in favor of a two-state solution. They refuse to negotiate.”
