Political deadlock could lead to security escalation in West Bank
Palestinian officials view Israel's recent military maneuvers in the West Bank and its prediction of an uprising as attempts to escalate the security situation.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — At the end of its March 5 session, the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) made the decision “to stop all forms of security coordination with Israel.” The decision came a day after President Mahmoud Abbas called on the PCC to “review the tasks of the Palestinian Authority [PA].”
PLO Executive Committee member Wasel Abu Yousef told Al-Monitor that the PCC decided to put an end to all forms of security coordination with Israel, proceed with boycotting Israeli products and submit its files to the International Criminal Court.
Despite the decision, the scope of the PCC's security, military and civilian coordination with Israel has not and will not be harmed, a PCC official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. The decision, he added, needs to be politically examined and approved by the president and Executive Committee members prior to implementation.
A member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, Abdullah Abdullah, told Al-Monitor, “The decision will be examined at the political level. Politicians will then set a deadline for its implementation and execution.”
