Palestinian official threatens to demand 1-state solution to conflict with Israel

Palestinians threaten Israel with 1-state solution

Ehud Barack: ‘Death of negotiations only benefits Hamas’

JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak called Saturday on the US and Palestinians to “make an effort to start negotiations” and added that an impasse in the dialogue would only benefit Hamas.

Palestinian president decrees elections for January, with or without unity deal with Hamas

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday his government would hold presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan. 24, regardless of whether it reaches a power-sharing deal with the rival militant Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip.

After failed talks with Hamas, Palestinian president decrees January date for elections

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian president signed a decree on Friday calling for presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan. 24, a move likely to deepen the rift with the rival militant Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip.

Fatah accepts plan to reconcile with Hamas, hold new Palestinian elections

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party on Wednesday said it had accepted a proposal to hold new presidential and legislative elections next year as part of a broad package meant to end a bitter rivalry with the Islamic militant group Hamas.

Abbas slams Hamas for delaying reconciliation pact

RAMALLAH - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas slammed Sunday the Islamic Hamas movement for delaying an inter-Palestinian reconciliation pact that was due to be signed in Cairo this month and would have ended internecine tensions.

US officials keep in touch with Mideast leaders as they try to get peace process back on track

ZURICH — U.S. officials are keeping in touch with Mideast leaders in hopes of getting the faltering peace process back on track.

Growing uproar in Palestinian territories over Abbas’ handling of Gaza war crimes allegations

RAMALLAH, West Bank — In five turbulent years in office, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has never faced as much outrage as over his decision to suspend efforts to get Israeli officials put on trial for war crimes in Gaza.

Top official says Palestinian leaders erred in agreeing to shelve UN war crimes report on Gaza

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian leadership made a mistake by suspending action on a U.N. report on Gaza war crimes, a member of President Mahmoud Abbas’ inner circle said Wednesday — the first such acknowledgment after days of protests in the West Bank and Gaza.

Hamas ramps up criticism of Abbas over suspension of efforts to try Israelis for war crimes

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas leaders on Monday launched an unprecedented attack against President Mahmoud Abbas, saying they no longer consider him a Palestinian after he agreed to suspend efforts to go after Israel for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Abbas tries to control damage from decision to defer Gaza war crimes vote at UN

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Engulfed by domestic outrage, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rushed Sunday to limit the fallout from his decision to suspend efforts to have Israeli officials prosecuted for war crimes over last winter’s military offensive in Gaza.

Outrage among Palestinians over Abbas’ decision to drop support for Gaza war crimes report

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas faced growing outrage at home Sunday over his decision to withdraw support for a U.N. report that alleged Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in last winter’s Gaza war.

Palestinians: Goldstone report on Gaza war crimes ‘remains alive’

Palestinians say Goldstone report ‘remains alive’

GENEVA — Palestinian diplomats said Friday they will ensure a United Nations report on war crimes in Gaza “remains alive,” despite agreeing to delay a vote in the U.N. Human Rights Council on passing the document to the General Assembly for further action.

20 Palestinian women prisoners, to be freed in swap with Israel, returning to changed worlds

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Women make up only a tiny minority of more than 7,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, but they often pay a high personal price for what has largely been a supporting role in the Palestinian uprising.

Fatah movement tells Abbas: no return to peace talks without Israeli settlement freeze

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been told by his Fatah movement that he must not resume peace talks unless Israel freezes its settlement construction, a senior Fatah member said Wednesday.

Ending latest mission, US envoy fails to win agreement on restarting Israeli-Palestinian talks

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The United States’ top Mideast envoy failed to bridge wide gaps between Israelis and Palestinians as he ended his most intensive attempt yet on Friday, raising questions over President Barack Obama’s efforts to revive peacemaking.

Palestinian official: US envoy ends Mideast trip without agreement for renewed talks

RAMALLAH, West Bank — President Barack Obama’s special Mideast envoy was unable Friday to bridge wide gaps between Israelis and Palestinians on the terms of renewing peace talks, the chief Palestinian negotiator said.