Palestinian Authority (PA) chief Mahmoud Abbas on Friday announced the freezing of contacts with Israel on all levels until all its recent security measures at the Aqsa Mosque are reversed.
In a speech following his meeting with PA officials in Ramallah Abbas said that the installation of metal detectors at the Aqsa Mosque’s entrances is a political measure enveloped by false security claims aimed at imposing Israel’s control over the Mosque and dividing it.
He also accused Israel of seeking to circumvent its obligations towards the peace process and turning the political conflict into a religious one.
Abbas pledged 25 million dollars to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian citizens in Occupied Jerusalem and called on the Palestinian Central Council to convene to develop mechanisms to protect the national project.
On several occasions before Abbas had threatened to stop security coordination and contacts with Israel but his remarks in this regard were always publicity stunts.
