BICOM

In an interview with Haaretz newspaper, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad criticised what he described as a “fixation” on the September UN General Assembly and the possibility that the Palestinians will seek international recognition of statehood. “Talking about September creates a sort of fixation in which people stop talking about what’s happening now – about our need to provide our people with the services they need,” he said. Instead, Fayyad highlighted the achievements of the PA under his government, citing reports by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the UN that lauded Palestinian progress toward statehood.

Fayyad also referred to the emerging reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah and the possible role he will play in such a government. At present, there are conflicting reports regarding Fayyad’s potential position, including the possibility that he will serve as finance minister, a role he first took under Yasser Arafat in 2002. “If I’m asked to stay on, I’ll accept only if there’s a consensus. I am not presenting my candidacy.” Fayyad was also asked about the comparison some have made between him and Israel’s first prime minister David Ben-Gurion. “There is a similarity to the Israeli story. I often say that if it worked for the Israelis, it can work for us,” he said.