Is Oslo agreement dead?

Will Israeli-Palestinian accords be annulled in wake of Abbas' UN bid? Deputy FM Ayalon says PA leader 'changing the game,' warns Israel will now be able to respond without limitations stemming from past deals, including Oslo

Ronen Medzini |Published: 09.16.11 , 23:37

Diplomatic earthquake in store? The upcoming Palestinian statehood bid constitutes a "new game" that will allow Israel to respond without being constrained by past agreements, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon says.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is "not only changing the rules of the game, but the game itself," Ayalon told Ynet Friday. "Israel knows how to respond and from now on would be able to realize its interests without any limitations or concessions stemming from previous agreements, including the Oslo Accords."

More Ynetnews stories on Palestinian UN bid:

The implicit threat was voiced by Ayalon after Abbas delivered a dramatic speech in Ramallah earlier Friday, declaring that the Palestinians will be seeking full UN membership and approaching the Security Council later this month.

The deputy FM's words may indicate that should the Palestinian go ahead with their UN bid, Israel would view itself as absolved of the obligations of the Oslo Accords, which call for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to bridge their differences through negotiations, rather than unilaterally. Such move would fundamentally change the current relationship between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Bibi slams Fatah-Hamas deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also slammed Abbas' speech Friday, stressing that peace can only be achieved through talks.

"Peace is not achieved by unilaterally going to the United Nations and not by joining forces with terror group Hamas," Netanyahu's statement said: "Peace shall only be achieved via direct negotiations with Israel."

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman already hinted at the potentially grave consequences of the Palestinian UN bid earlier this week, warning that a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood would have "dire consequences" and also referring to the Oslo deals.

"It's been 18 years since the Oslo Accords and we've tried everything… I accept that I'm the 'bad guy' but what have the others done? Barak, in Camp David, agreed to all (Palestinian) demands. What did we get in return? Another intifada and more bloodshed," he said.