PALESTINIAN MAJORITY OPPOSES EXTENDING NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL

Gaza, 28 Jumadil Akhir 1435/28 April 2014 (MINA) – A poll conducted by the Jerusalem Center for Media and Communication (JMCC) showed that a Palestinian majority opposed the extension of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

52.4 % of the surveyed said ‘No’ to extending the ‘peace talks’ beyond the nine months set as a deadline for reaching a peace agreement, compared with 39.6 % in favor of the extension. Al Ray quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

However, 62% of the respondents said they would agree to the extension should the Israeli occupation released the fourth batch of the Palestinian prisoners pledged to the Palestinian negotiators with the resumption of the negotiations in late July 2013, while 30.1% were still against.

Asked about the best options from their point of view regarding the current statement, 34.7% said they are with the extension of the negotiations and seeking membership in the United Nations organizations, compared with 33.4 % who accepted the latter move but called for suspending the negotiations.

‘Israel’ suspended U.S.-sponsored peace talks with the Palestinian negotiators on Thursday after Abbas announced a reconciliation agreement with the Islamic Resistance Movement-Hamas.

The reconciliation announcement was viewed as historic as it followed seven years of schism between the two Palestinian movements of Hamas and Fateh, instigated by factions within Fateh Movement’s trying to overthrow the Hamas government in 2007.

The Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas defended the reconciliation agreement signed with Hamas saying the agreement does not contradict peace talks with Israel.

The agreement drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials who said the move reveals the Palestinians’ lack of desire to achieve peace, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted Abbas as saying: “The Palestinian people’s interest to preserve the unity of their land and people will contribute to strengthening and promoting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem.” (T/P04/P03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)