Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., June 02, 2008 Iyyar 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:40 02/06/2008 Mahmoud Abbas says Israel, PA still far from breakthrough By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Palestinian Authority  Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told senior Israeli officials recently that there were still major gaps between Israel and the PA in negotiations. Abbas said the parties did not appear to be moving toward closure on core issues, although the gaps were becoming more clearly defined; he added that more time was needed. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Abbas will meet this afternoon at Olmert's official residence in Jerusalem to continue coordinating their positions ahead of Olmert's visit to Washington this week. A senior Israeli negotiator said behind closed doors last week that the parties were still far from making concessions that would see a breakthrough. He added that Israel wanted to be practical and move toward solving some issues, but the Palestinians continued to speak in slogans about their national rights, international legitimacy and the need to redress historic injustice. The Israeli official also said the Palestinians wanted Israel to first fully recognize Palestinian rights, and only then would the Palestinians agree to make compromises. Advertisement Abbas said that as opposed to the relationship between Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak in 2000, he and Olmert, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia, have relationships based on trust and are able to openly discuss their differences. Abbas said that the parties felt closer on the matter of borders than on other issues; however, differences still existed there, too. The Palestinian president said that with regard to refugees, he wanted to clearly define the number of refugees to be allowed to return to Israel gradually over several years as a humanitarian gesture. However, he said Olmert objects to a specific number and prefers to define an ambiguous formula involving exceptional cases in which refugees would be allowed to return. Abbas also said the situation in the territories had not improved despite Israeli pledges, making negotiations more difficult. With regard to the ongoing investigation of Olmert, Abbas said that as long as Olmert was still in office, he was Abbas' negotiating partner. Meanwhile, Olmert on Sunday held consultations with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Livni and senior defense officials on the outlines of cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. It was decided that at this stage, prisoner negotiator Amos Gilad would not be sent to Egypt, but that they would reevaluate the situation when Olmert returned from the U.S. The inner cabinet might also discuss the cease-fire at that time. "The cabinet will fulfill its pledge to give a sense of security to the people of Sderot and the south. We are all obligated to this and that is how we will act," Olmert said at Sunday's cabinet meeting. Shas chairman Eli Yishai said Sunday before the cabinet meeting that disagreements between Olmert, Barak and Livni were holding up the decision-making process. "If they can't reach a consensus, why do we have an inner cabinet to make decisions?" Yishai said. Related articles: Palestinians reject Israeli offer to hand over 91.5% of W. Bank Abbas: Olmert probe could further derail peace talks MK Beilin: Abbas says he'll quit if peace deal not set in 6 months Bookmark to del.icio.us   Building Google How an Israeli hi-tech guru inspired Google's 'magic formula'. La femme Tzipi Colleagues regale the Sunday Times with stories of Livni's days on a Mossad hit team.   1.   Making non-Jews the majority 03:34  |  John 02/06/08   2.   This fool still thinks there will be peace!? 05:33  |  Dudd 02/06/08   3.   we`re stuck 06:22  |  Israeli 02/06/08   4.   Abbas wants peace 06:43  |  NJ American 02/06/08   5.   Truth is Arabs and Jews are the same people. They are stuck in . 06:45  |  Israeli 02/06/08   6.   How about this for a number of "returning refugees"? -- Zero 07:05  |  McQueen 02/06/08   7.   Let?s be realistic. 08:13  |  Jean Van Daem 02/06/08   8.   Our maimed PM can`t do any better... 08:52  |  Esther 02/06/08   9.   there will not be a breakthrough so long as the palestinians 09:44  |  tovah 02/06/08   10.   the ball is in israel hands for long time 10:07  |  Toz 02/06/08   11.   The "breakthrough" ´d have been the 91.8% Abbas turned down 11:07  |  AliciaYasmeen 02/06/08   12.   The sincerity of our ?peace partner.? 11:11  |  Robert Bernier 02/06/08   13.   Does anybody care what Mahmoud say? 11:18  |  Alex 02/06/08   14.   Tovah is right. If the Palestinians refuse to accept Israel`s 11:18  |  Petra 02/06/08   15.   abbas is like the beggar who finds 10cents in his hat 11:47  |  victor hardman 02/06/08   16.   The palestinian authority should ally with Iran 14:27  |  Aounist 02/06/08

Read & React Akiva Eldar: Olmert should keep his vows to the Palestinians Responses: 12 John McCain: U.S. is committed to preventing a second Holocaust Responses: 24 Who didn't attend New York's pro-Israel march? Israelis Responses: 64 Lebanese sources: Hezbollah still holding on to more Israeli remains Responses: 38 IDF soldiers: Nature authority killed dogs cruelly Responses: 18 Rosner's Domain The ultimate challenge for Pastor Hagee New Guest: Why educate child as Jew when he is not Jewish? McCain on Iran: we are committed to preventing second holocaust (WTR) The next seven months in the Middle East Poll: What political option is better for Israel? More Headlines 13:01 Defense Minister Barak: Hamas exhibiting signs of distress 14:34 Three Israeli Arabs arrested for allegedly planning to kidnap, kill soldier 13:02 Lebanon sources: Hezbollah still holding on to more Israeli remains 14:10 Thousands attend funeral of Yosef Lapid; Olmert: He was my most loyal friend 12:18 John McCain: U.S. committed to preventing a second Holocaust 09:16 Internet domain name 'Israel.com' sold for $5.88 million 14:31 Shas spiritual leader: Party will leave gov't if child stipends don't increase 09:45 Who didn't attend New York's pro-Israel march? Israelis 09:45 Not just a gesture 08:45 Introducing the world's strongest currency: The shekel 09:51 Families of missing reservists greet return of bodies by Hezbollah with wall of silence 13:52 Bedouin man burns cousin's home because she took part in Independence Day celebrations Previous Editions Select Day 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved