Palestinians reject Netanyahu's statements as pre-conditions

Monsters and Critics

Ramallah - The Palestinian Authority Monday rejected statements Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made at a parliament session, which he described as pre-conditions for peace.

Netanyahu said that the Palestinians have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, solve the refugee problem outside Israel and accept a permanent Israeli army presence in a demilitarized Palestinian state in parts of the West Bank that does not include Jerusalem.

Netanyahu's statements 'are unacceptable pre-conditions,' said presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh.

'Any peace deal means that East Jerusalem will be the capital of the state of Palestine and all permanent status issues should be resolved at the negotiations table according to international resolutions and the road map,' he said.

Abu Rudeineh criticized Netanyahu's statements saying 'they once again show that Israel is not interested in peace and defies the will of the international community, but that will not stop the Palestinian people from asking for their full rights, including going to the United Nations.'

The Palestinians plan to ask the UN Security Council and General Assembly in September to recognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.