Abbas told Kerry he rejects any deal that excludes Palestinian positions

Presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh stated on Thursday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a meeting held in Paris on Wednesday, that the Palestinian side disapproves of any final agreement unless it includes the firm Palestinian and Arab positions that are based on international resolutions.

Abu Rudeineh told the official Palestine news agency WAFA that Abbas and the Palestinian leadership hold a firm and unwavering position regarding the Palestinian demands: they insist that only East Jerusalem will be the capital of a future Palestinian state; Palestinians will not recognise Israel as a Jewish state; Israeli settlements are illegal; the Palestinian state will be established on the 1967 borders; there must be a “just solution” to the issue of Palestinian refugees; and Palestinian prisoners must be released.

Abu Rudeineh also pointed out that President Abbas was scheduled to meet with Kerry again in Paris later on Thursday.

The Palestinians and Israel resumed peace negotiations in late July of last year under American auspices after a three-year lapse. They hope to reach a final peace agreement within nine months of the resumption of the talks.