The Palestinian Authority considers the Israeli elections an internal affair but in reality the PA hopes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would lose for turning his back on all agreements and intending to annex significant parts of the West Bank.
In case Netanyahu lost, no huge change would occur in controversial issues in the peace process but at least his successor won’t annex the West Bank.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has stated that the PA pins no high hopes on the Israeli elections because the competition is between two candidates who have no plan to end the occupation.
During his speech at the international conference on empowerment in Palestine, Shtayyeh said that the Israeli community is, unfortunately, endorsing rightism more.
“We do not count on the outcomes of Israeli elections, because the competition is between two candidates who do not have any agenda to end the occupation,” Shtayyeh said at the conference.
“Unfortunately the Israeli society is moving further to the right. Yet we want those who lead the government in Israel to stand up and tell the world that they are ready to end the occupation and that President Mahmoud Abbas will have a partner (in peace).
“Without that we will take other steps if the same Israeli government policy persists,” he added, according to a statement issued by his office.
The PM reiterated that the Authority will confront Netanyahu’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank, stressing that settlements on Palestinian territories are illegal.
Israeli media said Likud officials have accused the PA of supporting the Blue and White coalition and Arab parties running under the Joint List alliance.
Hussein al-Sheikh, member of Fatah Central Committee and head of the Civil Affairs Commission in the PA, said in a statement that charges by Netanyahu and some members of his Likud party that the PA interferes in the Israeli elections are false.
"The PA considers these elections an internal Israeli affair. This is our constant and clear position," he added.
