News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader declared Thursday in a televised speech marking "Nakba" ("catastrophe") Day, what the Arabs call the establishment of the State of Israel, that "After 60 years since the 'Nakba' the time has come... to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital." Abbas also warned that only "an end to the occupation will bring security, this is what's been proven throughout the history of occupations in the world."

The PA Chairman urged Israel to freeze building in Jerusalem and in the "E-1" area that connects the suburb of Maaleh Adumim with the capital, saying this would be the way to bring peace. "After 60 years, I say again that our hands are extended for peace, that is our strategic choice," he said. "I again emphasize that the settlements are destroying the chance for peace. All the settlement construction, especially in Jerusalem and in the E-1 area must stop in order not to lose the chance for peace."