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PALESTINIAN resistance groups welcomed the decision by the African Union (AU) to suspend a debate on granting Israel observer status today.
“The Israel question has been suspended for now and instead there will be a committee set up to study the issue,” a diplomat was quoted as saying as the annual AU summit closed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
The move, which was agreed unanimously by the 55-member bloc on Sunday, was described as “a blow” to a number of Arab states that favour the normalisation of ties with Tel Aviv.
“The step demonstrated once again that African nations are defending the Palestinian cause,” Palestinian Islamic Jihad spokesman Ahmad al-Mudalla said.
“We expect the African Union to break off relations with the states that have normalised ties with Israel as the regime is seeking to infiltrate into the continent through such a ploy.”
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called on the AU commission to reject occupation and racial discrimination and defend Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
The Arab League also welcomed the decision, saying: “Israel will never be able to erode Africa’s support for the Palestinian cause and the legal rights of Palestinians.”
