RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been told by his Fatah movement that he must not resume peace talks unless Israel freezes its settlement construction, a senior Fatah member said Wednesday. Fatah's position could help Abbas stand up to U.S. pressure to return to talks with Israel.
Last week, President Barack Obama told Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that negotiations must resume as quickly as possible, without preconditions.
Obama admonished both leaders to stop wasting time.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are holding separate followup meetings in Washington this week with Obama's Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, who hopes to bring the sides back to the negotiating table.
Abbas has repeatedly said he would not return to talks without a freeze in Israeli settlements, which is mandated by a U.S.-backed peace plan. Israel refuses to comply, offering at best to slow construction for a limited period.
The Obama administration was initially adamant about a halt to construction, but appears to have softened its stance after failing to make headway with the Israeli government on the issue.
Source: Fox News
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