Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, stated Tuesday that there will be no new Palestinian Intifada (uprising) as long as he is in power, but also warned that the current “calm” will reach an end as soon as he leaves office next June.In an interview with the Wall Street American paper, Abbas denounced Israeli statements claiming he was responsible for the stalled peace talks, and added that he offered Israel’s Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, a solution on settlements issue, but the later ignored the offer.
He added that halting Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem should be conducted before any direct talks can be held with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinian president said that as long as he is in office, he will never allow a new Intifada, and added that once he is out of office, he cannot provide any guarantees.
He also stated that he is relaxed about his decision not to run in the upcoming elections, and added it was made due to lack of progress in the peace process with Israel.
Abbas warned that the Palestinians are getting more frustrated by the stalled peace talks, the ongoing and escalating settlement activities and attacks carried out by fundamental settlers against the residents and their lands.
He called on the International Community to push Israel in order to return to the negotiations table after halting all of its illegal settlement activities and violations against the residents and their homes in Jerusalem.
Abbas also expressed disappointed by the White House policies and called on President Barack Obama, to practice pressure on Israel to freeze all of its settlement activities.
“Obama must correct the path of the peace process”, Abbas said, “The United States must present an initiative for peace”.
He further said that he is proud to be part of the efforts to achieve peace, and added that he is sorry he could not reach a permanent peace deal.
The Palestinian elections are scheduled for June 2010 but could be delayed due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Fateh movements.
