Addressing the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yoram Cohen explains PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is not truly interested in making peace with Israel. He explained the PA leader fears he will get a bad deal, the daily Maariv reports.

I was explained that the PA leader realizes that the best deal that was offered came from former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and since today’s realities are a far cry from those promises, any deal the PA receives will not be well received by the people. Therefore, Abbas is not eager to resume talks with Israel.

At present, both sides are under mounting pressure amid shuttle diplomacy missions by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is expected back in the region next week.

Officials in the Shin Bet director’s office deny Cohen made the statements attributed to him by Maariv.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)