Seeking to throw the ball back into Israel’s court, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has announced that only after Israel implements a total building freeze as is being demanded by the international community can the PA be expected to begin taking confidence-building steps towards normalized diplomatic relations with Israel.

Abu Mazen is in the midst of a diplomatic mission taking him to Qatar, Libya, Spain, France and Egypt, seeking to drum up support for his position and to increase pressure against Israel.

“Only a total construction freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron will permit a resumption of talks with Israel” is the message being delivered to the international community by Abu Mazen.

He labels Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as not taking regional peace efforts seriously, insisting Israel’s unwillingness to comply with dictates from the international community is hampering the process.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)