PLO Threatens to Quit Oslo Accords over Trump ‘Peace Plan’
In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian Authority's foreign ministry called for "a clear international declaration rejecting 'the deal of the century'" that would endanger regional stability.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the PLO reserved the right "to withdraw from the interim agreement" if Trump unveils his plan.
The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, signed in Washington in 1995, sought to put into practice the first Oslo peace deal agreed two years earlier.
Sometimes called Oslo II, the interim agreement set out the scope of Palestinian autonomy in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on Sunday said the Middle East peace plan "will not pass" and could lead to renewed Palestinian uprising.
"We firmly declare that the 'deal of the century' will not pass. The new plot aimed against Palestine is bound to fail," and could lead the Palestinians to a "new phase in their struggle" against Israel, Haniya said in a statement.
The Palestinian criticism came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Washington, where Trump was expected to release the plan before Tuesday.
The Palestinian leadership was not invited and has already rejected Trump's initiative amid tense relations with the US president over his recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's undivided capital.
'Make history'
Netanyahu said on Sunday he hopes to "make history" during his upcoming trip to the White House for the expected unveiling of Trump's Middle East ‘peace plan’.
Addressing his cabinet shortly before departing for Washington, Netanyahu described the current environment, characterized by close ties with Trump, as a once in a lifetime opportunity for Israel that "we must not miss".
Trump's plan is expected to be extremely favorable to Israel.
"We are in the midst of very dramatic political events, but the peak is still ahead," he said.
"For three years I have discussed with President Trump and his team our security and national needs - dozens of discussions and hundreds of hours. In all of these talks, I found a receptive ear" in the White House for the essential needs of Israel.
"I am going to Washington with a great sense of purposes, great responsibility and great chance, and I am hopeful we can make history."
The plan could give Netanyahu, who is in the middle of his third re-election campaign in under a year, a lift as he tries to remain in office while fighting criminal charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes.
Source: Al Jazeera
