President Shimon Peres on Sunday morning 14 Menachem Av 5773, congratulated PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) on his decision to return to the negotiating table. During the call, which the two held in the wake of recent developments, President Peres said, “There is no alternative to peace, not for us and not for you. You took a brave and historic decision to return to negotiations – don’t listen to the skeptics, you did the right thing. Prime Minister Netanyahu also made a brave decision and he understands it is a historic call. We will do all we can to solve the conflict and to live together in peace. We want to see both nations going down the right path.” President Peres stressed that Hamas brings only destruction to its people and said, “Hamas has to understand that terror will not provide food for its people, only the path of peace can do that.”

Abu Mazen thanked President Peres for his words and said he hopes that they will continue and conclude the “peace process” which was started many years ago. He expressed his hope that progress will be made and that there will be an independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside the State of Israel.

It should be noted in media releases distributed by the President’s Residence government policy is ignored as Abu Mazen is referred to as the “president” and not “chairman” of the PA – clearly pushing the president’s private policy in defiance of the administration.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)