PLO secretary-general criticizes deals with Israel

Palestinian leaders have called for demonstrations against the “shameful” deals the UAE and Bahrain are set to sign with Israel, according to an AFP report.

A statement signed by groups including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas called for rallies outside embassies of the US, Israel, Bahrain and the UAE.

“We invite our population, in particular those in (Palestinian) refugee camps, to denounce these shameful agreements,” the statement, cited by AFP, read.

The deals with Israel were dubbed “peace for protection” by Saeb Erekat, PLO secretary-general.

“Some decision-makers now in the Arab world do believe that Arab national security metrics will depend on the protection of Israel,” AFP quoted him as saying.

Erekat referred to Washington’s longstanding policy of ensuring Israel is militarily stronger than other countries in the Middle East.

Arab nations are not permitted “to have any superiority on Israel on any field,” Erekat said in the report.