'Leftist U.S. Jewish groups' behind latest Palestinian threat

JERUSALEM – Leftist U.S. Jewish groups working with the far-left Israeli Meretz party were behind a recommendation that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas publicly threaten to dismantle the PA, according to knowledgeable PA sources.

The sources conceded the threat is intended to generate pressure against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the general elections here in three weeks, believing the threat will create backlash against Netanyahu for the lack of a settlement with the Palestinians.

Last week, Israel's Haaretz newspaper quoted Abbas making the threat.

"I will take the phone and call Netanyahu," Abbas told Haaretz's Barak Ravid in an interview Thursday. "I'll tell him, 'my dear friend, Mr. Netanyahu, I am inviting you to the Muqata [the PA presidential headquarters]. Sit in the chair here instead of me, take the keys, and you will be responsible for the Palestinian Authority'."

Abbas has reportedly made the same threat at least four times since 2008 without results.

According to the PA sources speaking to WND, the threat was the brainchild of unnamed "leftist U.S. Jewish groups" along with Meretz, currently the main party still pushing a so-called two state solution.

Meretz is a member of the Socialist International, the world's largest socialist umbrella group. It advocates for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and eastern Jerusalem, including sovereignty over the Temple Mount.

While the sources did not speak of coordination with the Obama administration over the dismantlement threat, just before November's presidential election a senior Palestinian Authority negotiator claimed that if Obama secures another four years in office, he will use his second term to target Netanyahu as the main party to blame for the collapse of Mideast peace talks.

The negotiator further claimed that Obama quietly pledged to the Palestinians a campaign at the United Nations to renew U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, which calls for a Palestinian state to be established in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and eastern Jerusalem.

The negotiator further said Obama had promised the PA that the establishment of a Palestinian state will be one of the main priorities for a second term.

"We were told that the negotiations for a Palestinian state will be a main goal for Obama," said the negotiator. "Netanyahu will be declared the main person responsible for the collapse of the peace process."