President Abbas threatens to dissolve the Palestinian Authority

In a recent interview with “Haaretz”, President Mahmoud Abbas threatened to dissolve the Palestinian Authority (PA) if Israel doesn't stop settlement construction and if no progress is achieved in peace negotiations, following the Israeli elections scheduled for January 22^nd, 2013.

After decades of unstopped settlement activity throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as well as failed attempts to hold peace negotiations, whether direct or indirect, the time is ripe to dissolve the PA. Indeed there is no other way to exert pressure over Israel except by dissolving the PA.

Clearly, the US - despite its declared role of peace sponsor - is not expected to pressure Israel, nor is the EU. By dissolving the PA, Palestinians would underscore the fact that Israel bears the responsibility of the political deadlock. And by extension such a step would affirm Palestine's status as a "State under occupation".