World Bulletin/News Desk

An audio recording of chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has been published in which he allegedly criticizes the policies of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on peace negotiations with Israel.

"Abbas is 79-year old now and he has to take a firm decision to protect the Palestinian national project," Erekat allegedly says in the recording, which was published by the Awraqq Network website.

Erekat allegedly criticized Abbas' reluctance to sign documents to join United Nations organizations to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"This is Palestine, which is far larger than persons," Erekat purportedly says in the recording.

Erekat argues that by joining U.N. organizations, the Palestinians can pursue Netanyahu as a "war criminal".

Anadolu Agency could not verify the authenticity of the recording.

Palestinian-Israeli peace talks hit a snag in April after Israel refused to release Palestinian prisoners as pledged.

In response, Abbas applied for membership in several United Nations agencies and treaties.

The Israeli government immediately took punitive measures against the Palestinians, including suspending the transfer of tax revenue it collects on behalf of the PA under the 1993 Oslo Accords.