UPDATE: Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has issued a stark ultimatum, demanding the arrest of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas if the United Nations recognizes Palestinian statehood. This alarming declaration comes just ahead of a crucial UN Security Council vote scheduled for Monday, October 16, 2023, concerning a US resolution that endorses a peace plan for Gaza.
Ben Gvir’s inflammatory remarks, made via a post on social media platform X, suggest that Israel should also consider targeted assassinations of senior officials within the Palestinian Authority (PA), whom he labeled as “terrorists.” He explicitly stated, “Orders must be given for targeted killings of senior Palestinian Authority officials—who are terrorists in every respect—as well as an order for the arrest of Abu Mazen,” referring to Abbas by an honorific title.
The urgency of Ben Gvir’s comments is heightened by the impending UN vote, which includes references to a “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood, contingent upon reforms within the PA and the redevelopment of Gaza. Reports from Kan News indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently engaged in a last-minute diplomatic effort to amend the draft resolution, aiming to eliminate any mentions of Palestinian statehood.
The draft resolution asserts that “conditions may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” following necessary reforms. As tensions rise, the National Commission for Popular Action has vocally opposed US initiatives that they argue would impose an externally directed transitional administration, labeling such efforts as a form of “new colonialism.” They insist that any decisions regarding Gaza’s governance must stem from the Palestinian people themselves, safeguarding their rights to freedom and self-determination.
These developments reflect a critical moment in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with potential ramifications not only for local populations but also for broader international relations. The call for Abbas’s arrest and the threat of violence against PA officials underscore the fragile state of peace negotiations and the escalating rhetoric surrounding Palestinian self-determination.
As the clock ticks down to the UN Security Council meeting, all eyes are on the outcome of this vote and the possible repercussions for Israeli and Palestinian relations. Observers are urged to stay tuned for updates on this developing situation, as the implications of these actions could reshape the landscape of peace efforts in the region.
