Beilin suggests that Israel negotiate with Abbas

Meretz-Yahad Chairman Yossi Beilin recommended on Monday that Israel should negotiate with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in an attempt to reach a peace agreement. He suggested that Abbas bring the results of the negotiations to a Palestinian referendum. Hamas must assert in advance that they would accept the outcome of such a referendum, Beilin said. In a Channel 10 interview, he also mentioned his belief that had Israel negotiated with Abbas two years ago, as he always recommended, Hamas would not have risen to power.