Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, said Thursday he will sign a reconciliation agreement with Hamas just after the latter accepts the Arab peace initiative and recognizes Israel, as well as approve the terms of the international "Road Map". Speaking to the Israeli media, the Fatah leader stressed he opposed the principle of armed resistance; saying: "Killing is a red line for me, and also unilateral steps, including the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Abbas conveyed he regrets the Arab refusal to the 1947 Partition Plan, saying the Palestinians have missed a valuable opportunity. He called on Israelis not to miss the opportunity offered by the Arab peace initiative.
Abbas pointed out to the the possibility of signing an agreement with Israel, despite the Palestinian divisions. The Palestinian leader noted that the Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not respond to calls by the Palestinians. He disclosed that the Israeli leader did not respond to a recent offer by the Palestinians to deploy international forces in the West Bank as part of a final status agreement and the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
