Palestinians will discuss decline of aids

Director General of Palestinian Liberation Front Wasel Abu Yusef said that there are many arrangements for the holding of the Palestinian National Council, through consultations involving all factions, saying that the meeting comes in the framework of preparations for the meeting of Palestinian National Council.

He said, in an interview with “Arabs Today”, that reduction of US aid to the Palestinian Authority, among the items on the agenda of the Executive Committee meeting, as well as the political situation in Palestine, reconciliation and the convening of the National Assembly.”

In my view, he added, when some US aid is stopped for the Palestinian Authority, under the pretext of the salaries of the families of the martyrs and prisoners, it must be emphasized that the salaries of the families of the martyrs and prisoners cannot be affected by them are guaranteed by law, and secondly this position of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Congress, Palestinian conflict and a position that falls within the framework of the American bias towards the Israeli occupation.

He stressed that the executive committee was keen to put an end to the obstacles that face the Palestinian reconciliation, stressing that the reconciliation is considered one of the major requirements to restore the Palestinian rights during the coming period. He added that the current state of division does not serve the interests of any party except the Israelis.

On the other hand, he added that any meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in Moscow must be preceded other steps by Israel in order to ensure its success. For example the ceasing of Israeli settlements and the release of detainees arrested before Oslo Accords 1993. Abu Youssef also stated his suspicion that the suggested meeting is an attempt by Netanyahu to thwart the French initiative.

Abu Yousef added, that Netanyahu is trying to thwart the planned international conference to be held in Paris for resolving the Palestinian issue, while at the same time give the impression that there are political talks with the Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that he is considering a Russian offer to meet with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow.