Palestinian politician declares Oslo Accords “dead” and calls for unified national strategy amid escalating settler violence and Israeli measures

RAMALLAH: The occupied West Bank is experiencing its “most dangerous phase” since 1948 and risks confronting a “new Nakba,” Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti warned on Thursday.

Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative Movement, told Anadolu that Israel was using settlers as a “spearhead” to advance annexation and pressure Palestinians from their land.

He also declared the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization “dead,” arguing that Palestinians must reconsider their existing political strategy.

Nakba, meaning catastrophe in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel in 1948.

Barghouti Points to Qusra as Warning of Wider Crisis

Barghouti highlighted developments in Qusra, south of Nablus, where Israeli forces and settlers have surrounded Palestinian homes amid escalating tensions.

He accused Israeli forces and settlers of performing “complementary roles” and described developments in the town as among the gravest Palestinians have faced since 1948.

Israeli forces recently took control of 16 Palestinian homes in Qusra, converting them into military positions and forcing some residents to leave.

Moreover, Barghouti argued that transferring security responsibilities in settlements from the military to Israeli police represented another step toward annexation.

He warned that similar developments were occurring elsewhere across the West Bank.

Palestinian Leader Calls for Unity and International Action

Barghouti urged international governments to impose punitive measures against Israel, accusing Western countries of supporting a two-state solution rhetorically while failing to prevent policies that undermine its implementation.

He also criticised Washington for failing to issue what he described as a meaningful condemnation of Israeli actions.

Meanwhile, Barghouti called on Palestinian leaders and political factions to abandon reliance on the Oslo framework and pursue national reconciliation.

He urged Palestinians to establish unified leadership around a common political strategy capable of confronting mounting challenges.

Without greater unity and international pressure, Barghouti warned, developments across the occupied West Bank could further accelerate displacement, annexation and instability.