PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is seeking to compel Israel to back off from announced planned construction in the area known as E1, an area that provide land contiguity between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim. Abu Mazen announced that if the construction move forward as Israel says it will, he will dissolve the PA (Palestinian Authority) and hand over authority and responsibility for autonomous areas back into Israeli hands.

Abu Mazen accuses Israel of crossing a ‘red line’ with the announced E1 construction while Israel explains the PA leader was warned against the unilateral action, petitioning the UN for non-member observer status. Abu Mazen and the international community has come out in condemnation of Israel’s planned move.

Abu Mazen states “The PA will not be the watchdog while Israel continues with construction in the E1 area. If left without an alternative, I will dissolve the PA and turn responsibility for the Palestinians over to Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)