Palestinian negotiator, Dr. Nabil Sha’ath, stated that Palestinian Authority will not recognize Israel as a Jewish State as this issue would harm the Palestinian residents of Israel and the internationally guaranteed Right of Return of the Palestinian Refugees. Dr. Sha’ath stated that the Palestinian Authority acknowledges the fact that there is a Jewish majority in Israel but cannot recognize it as a Jewish state.
His statements came during a press conference held in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, on Wednesday.
The Palestinian official stated that the Palestinian negotiators rejected a request made by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in which we demanded to discuss recognition of Israel as a Jewish state during the next week’s round of talks at the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh.
Sha’ath said that such a recognition will void the legitimate Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees and will also harm the position of the Palestinians in Israel.
He also stated that any future peace agreement with Israel will be voted on by the Palestinian people, and that in order to be to sign a peace deal the Palestinians need to end their internal divisions and achieve unity.
