Who leaked documents?
Photo: Al-Jazeera
Former MK Bishara
Photo: AFP
Report: Bishara aide leaked memos
Jordanian newspaper says six advisors in PA's negotiations department leaked secret documents to al-Jazeera, including relative of former Knesset member. According to report, documents sold to Qatari network about six months ago
Secret documents
which have embarrassed the Palestinian Authority after being published by the al-Jazeera network were leaked by six advisors working in the PA's negotiations department, Jordanian newspaper al-Ghad reported Monday. The report has not been confirmed by any other source.
The report mentions four of the advisors' first names: Edward – a Briton, Clayton – an American who accompanied the US secretary of state at the time, Ziad – a French Palestinian, and Ramy – a Palestinian with an Israeli citizenship.
According to the report, which is based on "knowledgeable" Palestinian sources, the six Palestinian and foreign advisors sold the documents to the Qatari network about six months ago.
Negotiation Secrets
Elior Levy
Documents leaked to al-Jazeera reveal PM Olmert agreed to take in 1,000 Palestinian refugees annually, Palestinian President Abbas argued that 'it is illogical to ask Israel to take one million refugees. That would mean the end of Israel'
One of the other two advisors was said to be "close to former Knesset Member Azmi Bishara, who worked in the office of (chief Palestinian negotiator) Saeb Erekat and helped leak the documents."
The newspaper noted that the six advisors worked at the PA's negotiations department, which was established by senior PA official Hassan Asfour, but added that it was unclear how much they were paid for the documents.
The 1,600 documents obtained by al-Jazeera reveal a gap between the PA's official stance and the personal stand of Palestinian officials. The sources told the newspaper they were surprised by the claims made in the al-Jazeera reports, that these were the Palestinians' real stands.
"If this were true, Israel would have signed a permanent peace agreement with us two years ago," one of them said.
The sources stressed that no Palestinian officials were involved in leaking the documents, in response to accusations voiced against former Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan, who is considered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' rival.
The Fatah movement launched an official investigation against Dahlan recently over accusations he made against Abbas.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
