The Foreign Ministry responded Monday to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who stated that he will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state. “Recognition of Israel as the sovereign state of the Jewish people is a crucial stage in the historic peace process between Israel and the Palestinians,” ministry officials said.

“To the extent that the Palestinians internalize this basic and essential fact, peace between the two peoples will progress,” they added.

Earlier in the day, Abbas said he will not call Israel a Jewish state, but said Israel could define itself however it saw fit. “What does 'Jewish state' mean? You can call yourselves what you want, but I don't accept it, and I say so publicly,” Abbas said in a speech in Ramallah.

Abbas added that the PA is willing to recognize Israel as an independent country only if Israel withdraws from all of the land occupied by Jordan from 1948 to 1967. “Not one centimeter more, not one centimeter less,” he said.

By demanding every centimeter of Judea, Samaria and formerly Jordan-occupied Jerusalem, Abbas rejected previously suggested compromises, such as international control over Jerusalem holy sites and a land swap that would leave the largest Israeli cities in Judea and Samaria intact.

Abbas added that the PA is absolutely unwilling to compromise on its demands.