PA suspends negotiations with Israel
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decides to freeze talks 'for several days' in wake of weekend clashes between IDF, Hamas; nevertheless, PA says it will not abandon Annapolis process
The Palestinian Authority is taking a stand: Faced with the escalating fighting between IDF forces and Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced Sunday that the PA is suspending its peace talks with Israel "for a few days."
Abbas, who over the weekend said that the IDF operation in Gaza was "worse than a Holocaust," has no scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the near future; and nor does Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
The latter formally informed Israel that all negotiations will be suspended on Saturday night.
Palestinian sources told Ynet, however, that the PA has no intention of abandoning the Annapolis process or 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 Sunday that 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
