Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has renewed his rejection to what is widely known as the “deal of the century” whose economic part was discussed in a United States-led workshop in Manama, Bahrain last month, according to Palestinian media.
During the sixth round of Fatah movement’s revolutionary council meetings in Ramallah late Saturday, Abbas asserted that they will never accept US President Donald Trump’s proposed Mideast peace plan or “American funds,” because if they accept, it means that they have compromised their cause.
On the other hand, Abbas said that the Palestinian leadership is ready to implement the terms of the reconciliation agreement that were signed in 2017 in Cairo sponsored by Egyptian authorities in order to end the division between long-term rival Fatah and Hamas factions.
Abbas also denounced ” Israeli digging in Jerusalem,” citing these activities as a “critical issue.”
Ahead of Manama’s economic workshop, Abbas criticised the “deal of the century,” citing it as “the deal of shame.” He asserted that Palestinians will eventually have the right to establish their independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital, adding that the “deal of the century” or “the deal of shame,” and the US economic project which are to be held next month shall go to hell.
The Manama conference was held on 25-26 June, led by Trump’s son-in-law and Senior Adviser, Jared Kushner.
Kushner announced that the “deal of the century” will include $50bn in investments in the Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon in its first phase. Out of the total amount, $13.38bn would be grants, $25.689bn would be subsidised loans, and $11.6bn would be private investments.
The Palestinian Authority boycotted the conference, announcing that it will not accept any settlement which does not include an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar participated in the US economic workshop.