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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| US envoy to hold talks with Abbas | US envoy to hold talks with Abbas |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, a day after his first meetings with Israel's new government. | US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, a day after his first meetings with Israel's new government. |
| On Thursday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only discuss a Palestinian state if Palestinians recognised Israel as a Jewish state. | On Thursday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only discuss a Palestinian state if Palestinians recognised Israel as a Jewish state. |
| Mr Abbas's office warned Israel's new policy could have "devastating repercussions for the whole region". | Mr Abbas's office warned Israel's new policy could have "devastating repercussions for the whole region". |
| Mr Netanyahu has stopped short of backing Palestinian statehood. | Mr Netanyahu has stopped short of backing Palestinian statehood. |
| During his meetings with Israeli leaders on Thursday, Mr Mitchell reiterated the US government's commitment to a two-state solution, which the previous government pursued in talks with the PA. | During his meetings with Israeli leaders on Thursday, Mr Mitchell reiterated the US government's commitment to a two-state solution, which the previous government pursued in talks with the PA. |
| But far-right Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the long-standing approach to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process had brought "neither results nor solutions" and new ideas were needed. | But far-right Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the long-standing approach to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process had brought "neither results nor solutions" and new ideas were needed. |
| And senior official in Mr Netanyahu's office quoted the new prime minister as telling Mr Mitchell: "Israel expects the Palestinians to first recognise Israel as a Jewish state before talking about two states for two peoples." | And senior official in Mr Netanyahu's office quoted the new prime minister as telling Mr Mitchell: "Israel expects the Palestinians to first recognise Israel as a Jewish state before talking about two states for two peoples." |
| Review call | Review call |
| Under previous agreements, the Palestinians have recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist. | Under previous agreements, the Palestinians have recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist. |
| But correspondents say recognising it as a Jewish state would be tantamount to abandoning one of the Palestinians' key demands in final-status talks, the "right to return" of Palestinians refugees. | But correspondents say recognising it as a Jewish state would be tantamount to abandoning one of the Palestinians' key demands in final-status talks, the "right to return" of Palestinians refugees. |
| A spokesman for Mr Abbas accused to new government of putting "new obstacles" in the way of a two-state solution. | A spokesman for Mr Abbas accused to new government of putting "new obstacles" in the way of a two-state solution. |
| "This is seen as a challenge to international efforts, especially by the US. It needs the international community to carefully review Israeli policy for fear of devastating repercussions on the whole region," he said. | "This is seen as a challenge to international efforts, especially by the US. It needs the international community to carefully review Israeli policy for fear of devastating repercussions on the whole region," he said. |
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| The BBC's Aleem Maqbool describes the Israeli settlements | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool describes the Israeli settlements |
| The Palestinian Authority has also called repeatedly for international pressure on Israel to keep its commitment to freezing building in settlements in the West Bank. | The Palestinian Authority has also called repeatedly for international pressure on Israel to keep its commitment to freezing building in settlements in the West Bank. |
| Human rights groups say construction activity has continued since US President Barack Obama came into office. | Human rights groups say construction activity has continued since US President Barack Obama came into office. |
| The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. | The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. |
| Mr Mitchell has given little comment on his meetings with leaders in the region, although he also assured Israeli President Shimon Peres of Washington's "absolute and strong commitment" to Israel's security. | Mr Mitchell has given little comment on his meetings with leaders in the region, although he also assured Israeli President Shimon Peres of Washington's "absolute and strong commitment" to Israel's security. |
| The visit is Mr Mitchell's first since Mr Netanyahu formed his right-leaning coalition, which brings together centre-right, centre-left and far-right parties. | The visit is Mr Mitchell's first since Mr Netanyahu formed his right-leaning coalition, which brings together centre-right, centre-left and far-right parties. |
| President Obama's MidEast envoy (l) flew in to Israel on Wednesday | President Obama's MidEast envoy (l) flew in to Israel on Wednesday |
| Mr Netanyahu has said the economy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be improved before progress on creating a Palestinian state is attempted. | Mr Netanyahu has said the economy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be improved before progress on creating a Palestinian state is attempted. |
| He has said he intends to resume talks and co-operation to promote "economic peace". | He has said he intends to resume talks and co-operation to promote "economic peace". |
| Mr Lieberman has said his government remains committed to the 2003 "road map" peace plan, which aims to create a Palestinian state through a phased process. | Mr Lieberman has said his government remains committed to the 2003 "road map" peace plan, which aims to create a Palestinian state through a phased process. |
| But he has also rejected the previous Israeli government's pledge to work towards Palestinian statehood at the 2007 peace conference at Annapolis in the US. |