Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned on Sunday that he would not accept a US-backed proposal for the resumption of peace talks unless Israel stops building homes for Jews in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli hardliners say they won't accept the proposed 90-day moratorium on new colony construction if it also includes occupied East Jerusalem and according to a top Israeli official, the United States gave Israel a written guarantee that it will no longer push Israel for additional colony freezes if it accepts a limited 90-day construction moratorium to revive Mideast peace talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for the assurances in writing in part to appease some members of his cabinet who oppose the deal.
Incentive package
Netanyahu returned from meetings with US officials last week with an American incentive package designed to restart peace talks that stalled in late September after Israel resumed colony construction in the West Bank.
The United States has proposed that Israel cease colony building for 90 days in return for a fleet of next-generation stealth fighter planes and US pledges to veto anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations.
The proposal does not include a freeze on building in occupied East Jerusalem, where Palestinians envision their future capital.
"A commitment not to ask an additional freeze after 90 days was written by the Americans," Israeli National Security Adviser Uzi Arad said on Saturday. It was the first time the Israelis have said a written commitment was made.
The Palestinians have ruled out talks if Israel continues to build homes in captured territories where they want to establish an independent state.
Speaking in Cairo on Sunday, Abbas said any construction freeze must include occupied East Jerusalem "first and foremost."
"If the moratorium does not apply to all Palestinian territories, including [occupied] east Jerusalem, we will not accept it," he said.
