Palestinian Official Rules Out Negotiations Without Deadline for Israeli Surrender

PLO official Wasal Abu Yousef declared on Thursday that the Palestinians would not re-enter negotiations with Israel unless there is an established deadline for the end of what he called the Israeli “occupation of Palestine” adding that due to Washington’s “bias” towards Israel “Bilateral negotiations under US auspices are no longer possible” and furthermore “We believe that the political horizon is completely closed with this new settler government.” Meanwhile, US President Barak Obama declared this week in an interview with the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper  that he has not given up hope for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict but added “It’s no secret that we now have a very difficult path forward. As a result, the United States is taking a hard look at our approach to the conflict. We look to the new Israeli government and the Palestinians to demonstrate – through policies and actions – a genuine commitment to a two-state solution.” More here Vatican Recognizes ‘State of Palestine’