Palestinian PM rejects US-brokered Israel-UAE pact

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Monday deunced US-brokered diplomatic deal between United Arab Emirates and Israel that required Israel to halt plans to annex land sought by Palestinians.

Israel and United Arab Emirates anunced Thursday y were establishing full diplomatic relations in US-brokered accord.

historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection, and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for Palestinians.

Palestinian maintain it puts a just resolution of Middle East conflict even farr out of reach.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contended Sunday that deal with UAE shows Israel doesn't need to retreat from occupied land sought by Palestinians in order to have diplomatic ties with Arab states.

Deals between Israel and UAE are expected in coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

Early Sunday, Emirates' state-run WAM news ncy anunced a UAE company had signed an agreement with an Israeli company for research and study of coronavirus pandemic.

move has sparked anger among some who see it as a betrayal of longstanding efforts to establish an independent state of Palestinians.