RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian leaders have told Jordan’s visiting foreign minister they will not resume Mideast peace talks without an Israeli settlement freeze.
Jordan’s Nasser Judeh explored the possibility of resuming talks in a meeting Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In January, Jordan hosted low-level Israeli-Palestinian talks that broke down in acrimony.
Staunchly pro-Washington, Jordan has considerable sway as one of the Palestinians’ most important allies.
However, Abbas believes there is no point in negotiating with Israel, arguing that there is not enough common ground to close a deal.
Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said Judeh’s visit “won’t be followed by negotiations unless Israel stops settlement activities” in the West Bank.
Israel believes the settlement issue should be on the negotiating table.
