WASHINGTON (JTA) — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel is conducting secret negotiations with Hamas.
Ha’aretz reported that in an BBC interview in Arabic, Abbas said Israel and Hamas were discussing a Palestinian state with temporary borders. A Hamas spokesman denied the existence of such talks, telling a Palestinian Web site, "We don’t negotiate with the enemy."
Abbas also said that the Israeli government wasn’t truly interested in peace, and that "Washington isn’t pushing Israel enough to advance the peace process."
In the interview, Abbas also said that Palestinian elections scheduled for January would be postponed, and that he had made a final decision not to run for a second term.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
