Abbas slams UAE as committing "treason", PA calls it "a despicable betrayal"

The Palestinian Authority called Thursday for the United Arab Emirates to “immediately retract” its agreement to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, which it called a “despicable betrayal.”

Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh called the deal “treason,” saying it must be reversed.

“We call on the United Arab Emirates to repeal this agreement immediately,” Abbas’ spokesman said. “It damages the rights of Palestinians and betrays Jerusalem and Palestine.”

“The Palestinian leadership rejects the actions of the Emirati government, considering it to be a betrayal of the Palestinian people and Jerusalem and al-Aqsa,” spokesperson Abu Rudeineh continued in a statement read aloud on Palestine TV.

“The leadership affirms that the UAE, or any other party, has no right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people, and does not allow anyone to intervene in the Palestinian affairs or speak on their behalf about their legitimate rights in their homeland,” Abu Rudeineh said.

Abbas and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh spoke over the phone Thursday night to discuss the UAE-Israel agreement.

The Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip called the deal a “stabbing in the back of our people.”

Abbas and Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh spoke over the phone Thursday night to discuss the UAE-Israel agreement. The Palestinian Authority also recalled its ambassador to the UAE in protest over the agreement.

It is alarming to hear that peace with Israel is viewed as “treason” by Abbas, the person who is supposed to be Israel’s “partner for peace”. Clearly, Palestinians are once again rejecting attempts at peace and continue to seek Israel’s destruction.

This video shows the difference between Israeli and Palestinian reactions to the deal. Most Palestinians are against it, whilst Israelis are supportive.