'PM told Abbas Israel demands to hold 40% of W. Bank'

Shaath says Netanyahu refused to hold any discussions with PA until it recognizes Jewish state; EU countries to recognize Palestinian state.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
nabil shaath 311 (photo credit: BLOOMBERG)
nabil shaath 311
(photo credit: BLOOMBERG)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas some five months ago that Israel demands that 40 percent of of the West Bank remain under its control for an extended period, Fatah Central Committee member Nabil Shaath said on Friday, according to Israel Radio.
Shaath added that Netanyahu also said he wouldn't listen to one word from Abbas and not a word about borders or refugees until the Palestinians agree to recognise Israel as a Jewish state and about its security needs, Israel Radio reported.
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The senior Fatah member said that Malta was expected to be the next in a recent string of countries that have recognized a Palestinian state. He claimed that France, Spain, Sweden, Portugal and Slovenia all plan to follow soon thereafter, according to the report.
Shaath also attacked the United States for its recent veto of a UN Security Council resolution condemning settlements, saying that the US's role in the peace talks was coming to an end.
He added that France and other European Union countries were weighing putting forth their own peace initiative in the near future.


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