Palestinians condemn normalization agreement between Sudan, Israel

The Palestinian Presidency affirmed in a statement its condemnation and rejection of Sudan's decision to normalize relations with Israel that seizes the land of Palestine, reported by Xinhua.

"No one has the right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause," it said.

It also said that the path to a comprehensive and just peace must be based on international law, resolutions of international legitimacy, and specific references, in a way that leads to ending the Israeli occupation of the land of Palestine.

The statement added that "the Palestinian leadership will take the necessary decisions to protect the legitimate interests and rights of our Palestinian people."

Wasel Abu Youssef, the member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s Executive Committee, told reporters that Sudan's decision to normalize ties with Israel constitutes a "new stab in the back of the Palestinian people."

He added that Sudan's move represents a "betrayal of the just Palestinian cause and a departure from the Arab peace initiative."

Hazem Qassem, the Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said in a press statement that "normalization of relations between Sudan and the occupation state is a political sin, harms our Palestinian people and their just cause."

The Islamic Jihad movement said in a press statement that Sudan runs toward Israel and pays huge sums of money to obtain America's satisfaction at the expense of the poor and displaced Sudanese.

The new agreement between Sudan and Israel will delist Sudan from the so-called US list of state sponsors of terrorism, a matter that would bring momentum for the leaders of Sudan’s transitional government. On the other side, the US government will use the recent peace agreement between Arab states and Israel to improve its condition for the upcoming presidential election.

However, Khartoum’s recent caution to normalize relation with Israel reflects concerns that such a major foreign policy move at a time of deep economic crisis could upset the delicate balance between military and civilian factions, and even put the government at risk.