Abbas pledges to continue security co-operation with Israel

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territory – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to continue security co-ordination with Israel, despite recent U.S. funding cuts to Palestinian security forces and years of impasse in the peace process.

Abbas told a gathering of Palestinian and Israeli activists on Wednesday that his government has counter-terrorism agreements with nearly 100 countries, including Israel.

He says the West Bank government has a “joint agreement to fight terrorism” with Israel and “will not violate it” — because if it does, “nothing will remain.”

He added his hopes that a party committed to peace would succeed in the upcoming Israeli elections.

The U.S. cut all aid to the Palestinian Authority, including $61 million in security assistance, when an anti-terrorism law took effect last week. The forces are considered crucial for Palestinian and Israeli safety.