National security advisor blames Abbas for stalemate

National Security Advisor Uzi Arad said Sunday that the stalemate in negotiations with the Palestinians stems from the fact that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "once is waiting for elections, other times he's moody, and at a different time he's waiting for an Arab League conference."

Speaking at the Herzliya Conference's opening session Arad said that the stalemate isn't necessary and predicted the resumption of peace talks in the future. In respect to Iran, he said that he foresees an escalation in relations with the Islamic Republic and that it may pay a heavy price for "defying the world." (Roni Sofer)