PNA rejects Netanyahu's condition on resuming talks

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to extend the moratorium of settlement freeze, for Palestinians' recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.

Spokesman of the Palestinian Presidency Nabil Abu Rdeneh told Xinhua that "the Palestinian leadership rejects the offer," adding that the settlement activities carried by Israel "are all illegal and should be frozen and removed."

"The Palestinians have no relation to the issue of dealing with Israel as a Jewish state," said Abu Rdeneh. "The Palestinian position rejects recognizing the state of Israel as a Jewish state, as a protection to the rights of the refugees and the right of the Palestinians who live in Israel."

He also said that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a state in previous declarations and accords were signed between Israel and the Palestinians. "These accords are giving the Palestinians to establish their state."

The Palestinians are concerned that recognizing Israel as a Jewish state would annul the Palestinian refugees' right of return to their homes and villages they fled in 1948.

Source: Xinhua