Ending the Kassam rocket attacks launched from Gaza at southern Israeli communities was another condition to be met by the PA before Olmert would be willing to meet with the PA president.
The two men met in New York during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss relations between Israel and the PA in the face of the new unity government formed between Abbas’ Fatah faction and Hamas.
“Those who are actively preventing the release of Palestinian prisoners are in effect Gilad Shalit’s kidnappers themselves,” said Peres, insisting that the PA was responsible for the current block in negotiations for a prisoner swap. Abbas maintained that he was doing all he could to secure Shalit’s freedom and vowed to continue his efforts.
Shalit was kidnapped in a PA raid on an Israeli Defense post near the Gaza border on June 25.
Abbas also said the new unity government would be obligated to meet the Quartet demands to fulfill all agreements signed by the previous PA government as well as formally acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.
Hamas chairman and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has continued to maintain, however, that Hamas will never recognize the State of Israel.
The two men met in New York during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss relations between Israel and the PA in the face of the new unity government formed between Abbas’ Fatah faction and Hamas.
“Those who are actively preventing the release of Palestinian prisoners are in effect Gilad Shalit’s kidnappers themselves,” said Peres, insisting that the PA was responsible for the current block in negotiations for a prisoner swap. Abbas maintained that he was doing all he could to secure Shalit’s freedom and vowed to continue his efforts.
Shalit was kidnapped in a PA raid on an Israeli Defense post near the Gaza border on June 25.
Abbas also said the new unity government would be obligated to meet the Quartet demands to fulfill all agreements signed by the previous PA government as well as formally acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.
Hamas chairman and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has continued to maintain, however, that Hamas will never recognize the State of Israel.