Israel says security cooperation with PA continues as normal

PLO leaders voted on Thursday to halt cooperation with Israel.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, HERB KEINON
PA President Mahmoud Abbas (C) at a meeting for the Central Council of the PLO, in Ramallah, March 4, 2015 (photo credit: REUTERS)
PA President Mahmoud Abbas (C) at a meeting for the Central Council of the PLO, in Ramallah, March 4, 2015
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli officials shot down reports that the security cooperation in the West Bank with the Palestinian Authority had been stopped, Israel Radio reported Friday morning.
On Thursday, PLO leaders called on the Palestinian Authority to halt all forms of security coordination with Israel in spite of a series of gestures Jerusalem has made in the past week to prevent such action. It was not clear whether the PA leadership would accept the recommendation.
The Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem did not have any immediate response to the move.
The decision was issued at the end of a meeting of the PLO’s 124-member Central Council, which consists of representatives from the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and several Arab countries.
The discussions covered the future of relations between the PA and Israel in light of the Israeli government’s decision to withhold tax revenue belonging to the Palestinians and the ongoing stalemate in the peace process.
Several PLO representatives demanded during the two-day gathering that the PA leadership take “harsh” decisions in response to the withholding of the tax revenue such as cutting political, economic and security ties with Israel. Others called for abrogating all agreements signed with Israel.
A statement issued by the council said that the PLO leaders have decided to “halt all forms of security coordination with Israeli occupation in light of its failure to abide by agreements signed between the two sides.”
Israel should assume all its responsibilities toward the Palestinians as an “occupation force” and in accordance with international law, the council said.
The council also reiterated Palestinian opposition to recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.
Khaled Abu Toameh contributed to this report.