Abbas to invite Israeli politicians to talk peace

[January 24, 2013]  RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- A senior Palestinian official says the Palestinian president will invite Israeli lawmakers to the West Bank for talks in a bid to make sure peacemaking is on the new government's agenda.

The overture is meant to capitalize on the unexpected strength of moderates in Israel's incoming parliament.

Abed Rabbo says Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wants to sit down with Israeli lawmakers before Israel forms its next government.

He said Thursday that all Israeli parties, "particularly the new ones," would be invited for dialogue on future accords.

He did not say when the invitations would go out.

Abed Rabbo says the Palestinians have not dropped their demand that Israel halt all settlement construction before they return to talks.

[Associated Press]

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