Mahmoud Abbas. Photo: World Economic Forum.

JNS.org – Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Akhbar el-Yom over the weekend that he would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state because he believes it would undermine the national interests of Israeli Arabs and prevent Palestinian refugees from returning to their homes.

“We cannot recognize a Jewish state. … We cannot close the door to those who wish to return,” Abbas said, the Middle East Media Research Institute reported.

Abbas said that if the U.N. Security Council rejects the Palestinian proposal for a two-year deadline for an Israeli withdrawal to 1949 armistice lines, he may end Palestinian security cooperation with Israel or even step down and transfer responsibility for PA-controlled territory to Israel.