Palestinians set out basis for talks with Israel

[maddezmom]

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Palestinian political leaders said on Wednesday any resumption of peace talks with Israel would require the Jewish state withdraw from land occupied in 1967 and freeze all settlement activity.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) issued a statement in the West Bank city of Ramallah after new U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in his first full day in office on Wednesday.

Obama telephoned to "communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term," a spokesman said.

The PLO Executive Committee said it was demanding Israel commit to a comprehensive freezing of all settlement activity in and around Arab East Jerusalem and in the occupied West Bank and a commitment to give up its hold on all occupied land captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

"The Palestinian leadership are not ready to return to political negotiations with Israel unless there is a new basis for talks," the PLO said, without elaborating.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LL335690.htm

[sellitman]

1. The problem is

The PLO don't talk for Hamas or Fattah.

When there is one body to talk to then and only then Can peace succeed.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Its what Abbas speaking for the PA that matters

[sellitman]

3. Abbas has no ability to stop more bloodshed from Hamas

That is why Gaza is a mess now.