Palestinian Authority asks AU to revoke Israel’s observer standing

The Palestinian Authority requested the African Union on Thursday to revoke Israel’s observer status within the group. 

Palestinian International Minister Riyad Malki wrote a letter to the AU Executive Council, which is presently assembly in Ethiopia. He stated Israel “should be held accountable and uncovered, not rewarded and accommodated” and urged them to reverse the choice to grant Israel observer standing, the PA’s WAFA information company reported. 

“The withdrawal of Israel’s Observer Standing is a needed validation of the African Union’s dedication in direction of its broader anti-colonialism and anti-apartheid political technique,” wrote Malki. 

The AU granted Israel observer standing in July. An Israeli diplomat informed Al-Monitor on the time that Israel hoped to cooperate with African states on well being, agriculture, safety, preventing COVID-19 and different points by way of the union.

Israel is just not in Africa, however borders Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Israel has had diplomatic relations with Egypt since 1980 because of the US-brokered Camp David Accords and with Morocco since 2020, because of the US-mediated Abraham Accords. Israel and Sudan are additionally taking steps to normalize ties below the Abraham Accords.

Israel additionally has a sizeable inhabitants of Jewish immigrants from Ethiopia.