Abbas: Israelis want peace, leaders don’t [View All]

[Jefferson23]

Palestinian president adamant launch statehood bid despite UN ambiguity, denies Israel offered anything to advance peace talks. Jerusalem sources tell Ynet PM Netanyahu's speech at UNGA will focus on Israel's security needs, PA's refusal to resume talks

Attila Somfalvi Published: 09.23.11, 01:04 / Israel News


NEW YORK – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in his first interview since arriving in New York for the 66th UN General Assembly, said Thursday that he has no knowledge of a new Israeli proposal meant to propel the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

In an interview with the Palestinian news agency Maan, Abbas said that while he "met with President Shimon Peres three times and with Defense Minister Ehud Barak twice, he heard "nothing new."

"I am convinced that the majority of Israeli people want peace, but the Israeli leadership has done nothing to achieve it so far. On the contrary – it has deliberately thwarted all of the international, Arab and Palestinian efforts," he said.

snip* All eyes, it seems, are on Netanyahu. Ynet has learned that the prime minister's speech will feature three key elements: The need for strict security arrangements vis-à-vis the Palestinians, Israel's efforts to achieve peace with the PA and its willingness to hold direct negotiations, and the Palestinians' "defiant and obstinate behavior" which translates into their refusal to negotiate.

in full: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4126419,00.html