Israel Matzav

Abu Bluff denies 'Palestinians' will turn to violence if talks fail

'Moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen told the London-based pan-Arabic daily al-Hayat that the 'Palestinians' will not turn to violence if the 'direct talks' fail, according to a report on Army Radio.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas denied that Palestinians would turn to violence if talks are halted by saying "we tried the Intifada and it caused us a great deal of damage," according to an interview published in London based newspaper Al-Hayat, Army Radio reported Sunday.

Abbas claimed in the interview that if there is a breakdown in direct negotiations his people will not start violent confrontations with Israel.

The comments come after Abbas said on Saturday that no peace deal is possible unless Israel stops settlement construction, but he did not threaten to walk away from the negotiating table if the settlement construction moratorium expires as scheduled on Sunday at midnight.

“Israel must choose between peace and the continuation of settlements,” Abbas said in his address to the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting.

In Jerusalem, meanwhile, government sources said that Israel was “open to compromise” on the issue, and there were a number of ideas that Jerusalem could live with.

The sources said that intensive talks on the matter were continuing in the US, in an effort to keep the issue from derailing the direct talks that were restarted at the beginning of the month.

Israel Radio reported at 5:00 that there are 1,500 housing starts for which all the permits are in place, 400 of which are ready to go financially as well, mostly outside the 'settlement blocs.'

More details on possible compromises here.

I would not take Abu Bluff's promise to the bank.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:31 PM