Palestinians reject talks without settlement halt
The Palestinian president is sticking to his refusal to resume peace talks with Israel unless it freezes all construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his position during a visit to Cairo today, days after US officials said they had dropped efforts to persuade Israel to temporarily renew curbs on settlement.
Abbas has said the peace negotiations were in a “crisis” after the US decision.
Israelis and Palestinians launched the latest round of peace talks on September 2 at a White House ceremony.
But weeks later, the talks broke down after a 10-month Israeli slowdown on settlement construction expired and the government refused to renew it.
