BICOM

PA President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday that he is opposed to another Palestinian armed uprising against Israel, even if peace talks fail to make progress. Abbas said that he “will not accept” a third Intifada uprising and noted that the second Intifada which started in 2000 was “disastrous” for the Palestinians. During a visit to Tunisia, Abbas told reporters that he remains determined to reaching the US backed target of a negotiated peace settlement with Israel by September.

Abbas is on a diplomatic trip to garner support for international recognition of a Palestinian state. In recent weeks, he has visited Britain, Denmark and Russia, today he will be in France and next month Germany. Direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been stalled and the Palestinians are seeking a unilateral way to receive an endorsement from the United Nations for its independence. However, it is unclear what the Palestinians will do if they receive a symbolic vote in favour of a state from the United Nations.