In an interview with the daily Haaretz in his Ramallah office, PA (Palestinian Authority) leader Abu Mazen stated he does not believe Israel and the PA will sign a peace agreement in 2008, adding there will be no agreement without Israel’s recognition of the so-called Palestinian right of return.

The PA leader explained that at present, the major issues are unresolved, including borders, Jerusalem, settlements, and security issues. The sides remain far apart on many of these key issues, indicating that while he admires Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, is whose tenure in office is coming to an end, no real progress has been made as a result of his efforts.

He explained that the PA is aware there are 5 million “refugees”, those who parents were expelled from Israel, “not Yehuda and Shomron but from Israel,” stated Abu Mazen, who acknowledged if they all returned, Israel would be wiped out. That said, he feels an agreement must be reached, a compromise that would permit the return of a number of these refugees.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)