With elections over and efforts to form a coalition government in the infancy stage, PA (Palestinian Authority) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas stated that he rejects a new government headed by Netanyahu, insisting elections will not advance any regional peace efforts.

During his visit to Oslo last week, the PA leader was quoted saying, “Our position is against Netanyahu”, with the message released by PA Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Maliki. He added that the PA remains willing to resume negotiations with Israel, with anyone other than PM Netanyahu.

One of the PA’s veteran negotiators, Nabil Shaath, who was a close advisor to Yasser Arafat, referred to Israel’s right-wing as “the racist right-wing that tends to rule Israel, partnering with [US President Donald] Trump”.

He repeated his usual mantra, condemning settlements and adding there is no indication that the incoming administration will be any more involved in peace efforts with the PA than the outgoing administration.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday began consultations with the representatives of the Likud and Blue & White parties in the hope of succeeded in forming a broad-base national coalition government.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)