Fatah-aligned Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, is making it clear there will be no direct talks with Israel until the freezing of all settlement activity. Begs the question, why is the PA going along with the vacuous proximity talks given that Israel hasn't stopped its strategy of creating facts on the ground.
RAMALLAH/GAZA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently visiting Cairo, and the leaders of Gaza-ruling Islamic Hamas movement announced on Thursday that they rebuff the resumption of direct peace negotiations with Israel.
Abbas insisted that the Palestinian leadership will only accept to resume the direct talks if the Jewish state declares a progress in the U.S.-sponsored four-month proximity talks and freezes settlement activities in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
Hamas movement's leaders, in the meanwhile, insisted that Abbas and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) should completely severe any peace talks with Israel, whether it is direct or indirect. Instead, Hamas wants the Palestinians to adopt "armed resistance" against Israel.
Senior Palestinian officials announced on Thursday that Abbas would inform the Arab League Committee for Mideast peace that he would reject direct talks with Israel until his demands are met. more
Comments
Post a Comment