The Palestinian Authority is taking a stand: Faced with the escalating fighting between IDF forces and Hamas inthe southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announcedSunday that the PA is suspending its peace talks with Israel "fora few days."
Abbas, who over the weekend said thatthe IDF operation inGaza was "worse than a Holocaust," has no scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert inthe near future; and nor does Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
Palestinian sources told Ynet, however, that the PA has no intention of abandoning the Annapolis processor the talks with Olmert's government. Some reports claim that the talks – which have begun accelerating recently – will resume as soon as the operation comes to its end.
The Palestinian Authority was left rather perplexed when faced with the growing escalation in Gaza. Hamas has already accused the PA of collaborating by omission, especially since its television broadcasts ignore the situation in Gaza – focusing on soccer instead.
Olmert said Sundaythat Israel is "interested in continuing the diplomatic talks despite the situation… no one can deny that hurting Hamas encourages the peace process with the moderate elements with which we are negotiating."
Roni Sofer contributed to this report