'Pullout to lead to Palestinian state'
Palestinian leader tells Legislative Council that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza is the first step towards realizing the Palestinian dream of Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state
The Palestinians are on the verge of realizing their dream of a Palestinian state, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday, as Israel makes last-minute preparations to carry out its planned pullout from the Gaza Strip next week.
“The withdrawal from Gaza is just the preface for other retreats, on the way to establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Abbas told the Legislative Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Palestinian terrorist groups, such as Hamas, have already begun preparations for celebrations to be held after Israel pulls out from all 21 Gaza settlements, as well as four of 120 in the West Bank. It will begin its withdrawal from the territory on Aug. 17.
But Abbas said: "This is not the time to celebrate, as long as Israelis are sitting on Palestinian soil."
He also said Israel told the Palestinian Authority that it would establish a temporary crossing that would link the Gaza Strip and the West Bank after the withdrawal and also build a seaport in Gaza.
“The Palestinians have a right to build a port a day after Israel’s retreat,” Abbas said.
He also announced that elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council would take place next January.
Just the first step
The Palestinians are concerned about having Gaza isolated from the rest of the world after the pullout and whether Israel will retart talks on a stalled U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan, which calls for the formation of a Palestinian state.
The PA and the United States hopes Israel's pullout plan will mark a first step toward renewing peace negotiations. Israel says no such talks can commence unless Abbas stops terrorists first.
Abbas slammed recent rocket attacks by terrorists against Jewish settlements in Gaza, saying such assaults harm Palestinian interests.
“The usage of weapons in the streets is an unacceptable phenomenon that harms Palestinians,” he said.
