(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Israel Saturday to live up to its responsibilities following the UN recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state and was under occupation.
"We say to Israel that you are an occupying state and is responsible for the vacuums. Go ahead and live up to your responsibilities ... you are an occupying state and Palestine has won a UN recognition that it is under occupation," Abbas said in a speech before meetings of the Central Council of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
He was speaking three days after Fatah and Hamas, the two major Palestinian factions, reached a reconciliation agreement that paved way for formation of a government to be headed by Abbas, and holding elections.
Israel reacted to the agreement by cancelling negotiations with the Palestinians.
Abbas said he was astonished over the Israeli reaction. He added Israel has issued permits for the Fatah delegation to head to Gaza for the reconciliation.
Abbas meanwhile said Israel should release the Palestinian prisoners and halt the settlement construction if it wanted to return to negotiations.
"We want to get our right through negotiations, and Israel does not want a solution based on the two states," said Abbas who reiterated rejection to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
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