Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on Saturday urged the African Union to withdraw the Zionist entity’s observer status as heads of state from the 55-member body met for a two-day summit.

“Israel should never be rewarded for its violation and for the apartheid regime it does impose on the Palestinian people,” he said.

The dispute erupted last July when Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, accepted the Israeli regime’s accreditation to the bloc.

Powerful AU member states, notably South Africa, protested the decision, saying they had not been properly consulted and that the move contradicted numerous AU statements -– including from Faki himself –- supporting the Palestinian cause.

Earlier Saturday, Faki said the AU’s commitment to the Palestinian push for independence was “unchanging and can only continue to go stronger.”

He defended his decision however, saying it could be “an instrument in the service of peace” and called for “a serene debate” on the issue.

The summit could also see a vote on whether to back or reject Faki’s decision.

Source: Agencies