Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is not a partner for peace unless he backs a Palestinian state, the Palestinian Authority's top negotiator has said. Saeb Erekat was speaking after US envoy George Mitchell met Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, a day after talks in Israel.He said Mr Netanyahu's new demand that the Palestinians recognise Israel as a
Jewish state was meant to stall talks. Mr Netanyahu has not endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state.Mr Erekat also urged the administration of US President Barack Obama to act as an "even-handed" broker.
Mr Mitchell is on his first visit to the region since Mr Netanyahu's right-leaning coalition took office.
After meetings with Palestinians on Friday and Israelis on Thursday, he reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution.
As he met Israeli leaders on Thursday, a senior official in Mr Netanyahu's office said the new prime minister had told Mr Mitchell: "Israel expects the Palestinians to first recognise Israel as a Jewish state before talking about two states for two peoples."Under previous agreements, the Palestinians have recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist.
Courtesy: BBC NEWS
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