Terrorist groups have denounced new Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas’s pledge to “support political pluralism but oppose security pluralism” by restricting the possession of weapons to PA forces. Yet Abbas managed to decisively win the endorsement of the Palestinian Legislative Council for his cabinet and program, with 51 votes in favor 18 against and 3 abstentions. “It was a heated debate. I would call it a landmark in Palestinian history,” senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat told The Jerusalem Post. “Many legislators were critical of Abbas’s pledge to implement security and disarm militants. They were arguing why should we give something to Israel on the security issue for nothing in return,” one PLC source explained. Hamas and Islamic Jihad were quick to say that they would not hand over their weapons. “Of course we will not [disarm]… We are resisting an occupation that still exists. The day we get rid of the occupation we can talk about arms,” said Abdel Aziz Rantissi, a top Hamas official in Gaza. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.