INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Palestine has rejected the Abraham Accords inked between Israel and two Arab nations: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Speaking exclusively to India Today TV from Ramallah city, Dr Majdi Khaldi, Diplomatic Advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,
welcoming India's position on the Palestine question, said that India could play a role in brokering peace between Palestine and Israel.On
Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Anurag Srivastava, responded to a question on the Abraham Accords
While "welcoming" normalisation of ties between Israel and the two Arab states, the MEA spokesperson reiterated India's steadfast support to
the "two-state solution"."We have followed the Abraham Accords signed in Washington DC by UAE, Bahrain, Israel and the US
As I have said earlier, India has always supported peace and stability in West Asia which is our extended neighbourhood
As such we welcome these agreements for normalization of relations between Israel and UAE and Bahrain," the MEA spokesperson had said.The
pacts were inked on Tuesday in Washington in the presence of US President Donald Trump.Anurag Srivastava added: "We also continue our
traditional support for the Palestinian cause and hope for an early resumption of direct negotiations for an acceptable two-state
solution."Palestine has rejected the peace accords
The senior Palestinian official said, "The United States doesn't represent the Christians around the world, UAE and Bahrain do nor represent
the Muslims and Israel does not represent the Jews."Calling it a betrayal by the UAE and Bahrain, he emphasised that the Arab world stands
with Palestine and any peace in the region is only possible when there is peace between Palestine and Israel.He also said that Israel cannot
be trusted since they are already implementing their sovereignty on illegal settlements on Palestinian land.Here's the full interview of Dr
How is Palestine viewing the Abraham Accords?A
One is the trilateral MoU between Bahrain, Israel and the other between the UAE and Israel
These are different than the Abraham Accords which according to Palestine is the use of religion for political reasons
The main issue here is that the United States doesn't represent the Christians around the world, the UAE and Bahrain do not represent the
Muslims and Israel does not represent the Jews.Israel is an occupying power and the US is helping Israel in this regard.The main issue is
that Israel wants to dominate the areas of Jerusalem and the holy sites
The only way to do that is through Abraham Accords.The other political declarations signed for us is just to help President Donald Trump in
his elections and for Netanyahu as well
It is not going to help Palestine or Palestinians in any way
On the contrary, it is going to deepen occupation and will encourage the Israelis to continue what they are doing in terms of annexation and
For any peace deal between Israel and other Arab states, shouldn't Palestine be factored in since it's a stakeholder?A
Actually, Palestine was not consulted when they formulated these accords
That's why any agreement signed before concluding peace between Israel and Palestine is going to fail because only peace between Israel and
Palestine is going to bring peace and stability in the region.We are living under illegal settlements everywhere, Israeli settlers living in
every kilometer in illegally occupied Palestinian territory.The Palestinians are not going to disappear so any agreement between Arab
countries and Israel is not going to help in any way for peace to return.The only way to make peace relevant is when the Israelis will fully
withdraw from Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and declare East Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Palestine and only then
can the Arab states conclude their peace agreements with Israel according to the Arab peace initiative.Q
Israel has put on hold annexation of West Bank for now but do you think they will honour their commitment?A
They are already implementing their sovereignty on illegal settlements on Palestinian land
They have never honoured any of their agreements
They have violated all their agreements since 1993.PM Netanyahu does not believe in a two-state solution
He said bluntly that he doesn't want to return to the 1967 border
He does not believe in international legitimacy
He believes only in his own politics to dominate all the land of the Palestinians
He wants to govern the Palestinian people and the Palestinian nation like what happened in South Africa
This is racism and apartheid.Q
Is this a betrayal by the important Muslim nations of the idea of two-state theory?A
It is betrayal but not all Muslim nations did that
They are just two countries
In fact, all Arab countries and Muslim countries issued two statements
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) comprising 54 Muslim countries issued a statement saying that they fully endorse the Arab
peace initiative that Israel has to end this occupation first from Palestinian land, recognise the state of Palestine, and only then will
they normalise relations with Israel.Most of the Arab states came out with the statement
Unfortunately, the two countries did not honour this commitment by the Arab League and Arab nations.Q
Two Arab nations have already joined
What if others join in? What would the longterm impact be on peace and stability of the region?A
Peace and stability will not be realised with Palestinians living within the same kilometre as Israelis
That's why the Arab League has called the Israelis to end the occupation for normalisation of ties.This is important
Let me give you an example of Egypt and Jordan
They have 20 to 30-year-old agreements with Israel but till now there has been no normalisation between the two sides
There aren't good relations between Egypt and Israel and Jordan and Israel
The reason for that is because Israel is continuing to deepen its occupation into Palestinian lands and that's why Egyptians have not
normalised ties.Signing an agreement does not mean normalisation between nations.Q
India has stated that while it welcomes Abraham Accords, the traditional position of New Delhi remains unchanged of a two-state solution to
the Israel-Palestine conflict
What is your response to India's statement?A
We are grateful for India's stand and her position that respects international law and international legitimacy
It is important for all nations to respect the laws and honour legitimacy.We noticed the statement on this occasion that came from India
We appreciate India's position on supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause
We also appreciate the economic support coming from India and that is what I can say about India-Palestine relations.India has friendly
We want good relations with Israel to impact in a positive way
India can play a role to help Palestinians and Israelis to come to an agreement based on international laws and based on 1967 borders.
