PLO Central Council Calls for Suspension of Recognition of Israel

Reports indicate that members of the Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Monday, January 15, approved a statement calling for the suspension of recognition of Israel. According to AFP, the Central Council also voted again to cut security cooperation with Israel. The meeting of the Central Council was held on Sunday and Monday in Ramallah to review the organization's actions in response to last month's decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Salim Zanoun, a senior member of the Central Council, read the final statement of the council, urging the international community to fulfill its responsibility to assist in the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on UN resolutions. The statement called for the suspension of recognition of Israel until Israel recognizes the Palestinian state and ends the occupation of East Jerusalem. The PLO, as the representative of the Palestinians, recognized Israel's existence by signing the Oslo Accords in 1993. Israel has not yet responded to the PLO Central Council's vote. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, stating that the U.S. peace plan has become a 'slap of the century' for Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Abbas's remarks on Monday, saying, 'He revealed the truth and took off his mask.' Last month, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered the process of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the city. This decision faced opposition from Palestinians and 128 countries. However, Netanyahu called the U.S. decision 'historic' and 'brave,' stating that recognizing historical truth would aid the peace process and that 'Israel's hand for peace remains extended to the Palestinians and all neighbors.' The Israeli Prime Minister also mentioned that the U.S. decision does not change the current situation in Jerusalem and that full freedom for followers of all religions is respected. Two weeks ago, the U.S. President tweeted that Palestinians have never appreciated or respected U.S. aid, questioning why the U.S. should give them hundreds of millions of dollars annually when they are not ready to negotiate. The United States pays over $300 million annually to the Palestinian Authority and its security forces and also contributes $300 million to UN programs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.