Israel Hayom (Hebrew) reports that Mahmoud Abbas is poised to declare Gaza to be a “rebel province.”
It would place an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in the Gaza Strip. Hamas would be declared an illegal organization and its assets would be frozen. Arrest warrants would be issued against its leaders. The Palestinian Authority would cease to transfer money, including payments of salaries to civil servants in the Gaza Strip.
Ten years ago, Israel declared Gaza to be a “hostile territory.” In response, Mahmoud Abbas said “this oppressive decision will only strengthen the choking embargo imposed on 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, increase their suffering, and deepen their tragedy.”
Ashraf Ajrami, a minister in Abbas’ government, said “It is collective punishment against the people of Gaza, and discourages serious political discussion.”
Palestinian Information Minister Riyad al-Malki said, “We are going to ask the Americans to pressure Israel to refrain from taking such action.”
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general at the time, said:, “[Gazans] should not be punished for the unacceptable actions of militants and extremists. I call for Israel to reconsider this decision.”
Today, Abbas wants to go beyond what Israel did. He wants to cut off electricity altogether, which Israel decided was against international law as collective punishment (although it did restrict electricity for a time to force Hamas to decide to use power for hospitals or rocket manufacturing.)
Moreover, Abbas plans to demand that the UN, the Arab League and international organizations to stop providing international aid to the Gaza Strip altogether, according to the Israel Hayom article.
The decision has not yet been made, but even considering that decision proves yet again what a hypocrite Mahmoud Abbas is.
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