Parliament Speaker Aziz Duwaik
Photo: AFP
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Photo: AFP
Palestinian parliament head: Dismiss Abbas
Aziz Duwaik, Hamas man recently released from Israeli prison, calls for establishment of national Palestinian commission to probe PA's conduct on Goldstone Report, urges Arab League to manage interim period following Abbas' dismissal
Palestinian Parliament Speaker Aziz Duwaik demanded President Mahmoud Abbas' resignation on Tuesday following his alleged support of the deferral of a UN vote on the Goldstone Report on Operation Cast Lead in Gaza.
Duwaik called for Abbas' replacement and the establishment of a national Palestinian committee to probe the PA's conduct and the change of its position on the treatment of the war report.
"The Goldstone Report was the straw that broke the camel's back – It's time that Abbas clears his seat and leaves the leadership of the Palestinian people for others," Duwaik said, urging the Arab League to take responsibility for the interim period to following Abbas' dismissal.
Duwaik is a member of Hamas who was released from Israeli prison just months ago. Ever since his release the Palestinian Authority has not been allowing him to return to his post as parliament speaker in Ramallah.
Duwaik said he is aware of the fact that he could be arrested or hurt by the PA's forces for his statements, but said he "has to say it."
Earlier, Abbas' former advisor Nabil Amr accused the president of being responsible for the UN's handling of the Goldstone Report.
Amr slammed Abbas' decision to form an internal inquiry commission to probe the matter, saying this was an insincere attempt by Abbas to shirk responsibility.
"How, in the shadow of this affair, can Abbas choose to travel around the world and not be with the people and explain to them what is happening?" he wondered.
