Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo Tuesday described as "an act of war" a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Bark to proceed with a unilateral separation between Israel and the Palestinians in the event of no peace deal.
"The Palestinian National Authority warns of the catastrophic effects of a unilateral separation leading to an actual isolation of the Palestinian territories and is considered as an act of war," he was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Palestine Media Center.
He said "such a separation may lead to limiting only 18 percent of the total area of the West Bank and Gaza under full Palestinian control," adding that if implemented "a final and a permanent peace deal will never be reached."
The Palestinian revolt and recent attacks in Israel has brought the idea of a separation between Israel and the Palestinians back to the forefront, but the plan, favored by Barak, looks difficult on the economic front.
Over the past few days, Barak has revived the idea, which remains very vague, saying Israel could go ahead with a unilateral separation if no peace deal is possible with the Palestinian Authority.
It would mean Israel unilaterally drawing up the map of a Palestinian entity, which would involve a withdrawal from some isolated settlements.
The rightwing opposition in Israel is against the plan, which is in any case not realizable between now and the February 6 election for the post of prime minister -- JERUSALEM (AFP)
