TUNIS, April 30, 2012 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Monday said the Palestinian leadership has decided to bring up the issue of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails at the United Nations.

Speaking at the Tunisian Constituent Assembly, Abbas said Israel is violating several signed agreements that have called for the release of all Palestinian prisoners and refuses the demands of thousands of Palestinian prisoners who went on hunger strike demanding humanitarian treatment.

“We made our decision to seek the United Nations to bring up the issue of the prisoners…We know supporters of Israel will block such resolution. Nonetheless, we need to raise our voice everywhere because the prisoners’ issue cannot withstand any delay,” said Abbas.

In an earlier meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, Abbas said that the Palestinian leadership will once again seek UN membership of a Palestinian state if there was no progress in the peace process, stressing that seeking UN membership does not contradict with negotiations.

“The political course and the peace process did not witness any progress despite Jordanian and Quartet efforts, the latest of which was the exchange of letters with the Israeli side,” said Abbas.

He added that he requested Tunisia’s assistance in implementing the reconciliation agreement with Hamas that would end division.

R.Q./M.S.