Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA) said, Sunday, "There were no obstacles in negotiations" with the government of former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who was forced to step down to defend himself against corruption charges. Addressing a meeting of Knesset members, Likud activists and Israeli and PA supporters of the Israeli-land-for-peace Geneva Initiative, Abu-Mazen added, "We came to understandings on all core issues. I'm sure that if the negotiations had continued, we would have reached an agreement in two months."

Regarding the current lack of talks, Abbas said, "[Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu is destroying the two-state solution. Some Palestinians have lost hope and voices supporting one state are increasing. I'm strongly against this and stuck to the two-state solution." He added, "The Palestinian move for recognition as a non-member state at the United Nations is not a one-sided process and is not directed against Israel. Immediately afterward we will sit for negotiations on all issues. The coming months are an opportunity that we must take advantage of."