PA says Netanyahu's AIPAC speech amounts to declaration of end of peace talks

Fatah central committee member Nabil Shaath says diplomatic speech was "an official announcement of a unilateral end to negotiations."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netanyahu and Abbas (photo credit: REUTERS)
Netanyahu and Abbas
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's AIPAC speech on Tuesday in Washington was "an official announcement of a unilateral end to negotiations," AFP reported a top Palestinian official as saying.
Fatah central committee member Nabil Shaath said Netanyahu's comments "contravene all the rules of the peace negotiations agreed with the Americans".
Shaath said that Palestinians "totally reject" Israel's demand of Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, as well as Netanyahu's objection to refusing Palestinian refugees.
Netanyahu, during his speech, stated that a historic peace agreement with the Palestinians would open up the possibility of establishing ties with leading countries in the Arab world.
The prime minister said that many of these Arab countries already know that Israel is not the enemy. "Peace with the Palestinians would turn these into open and thriving relationships."