Palestine says it will never recognize a Jewish state

Palestine says it will never recognize a Jewish state

2010-10-16 03:52:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA STRIP (BNO NEWS) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday said that Palestine will never sign an agreement that would recognizing Israel as a Jewish State or one regarding a land swap.

Abbas reiterated that the only agreement he will accept is the one in which Israel recognizes Palestine as a state with the 1967 borders. He reiterated that the Palestinian Authority has already recognized Israel in 1993 and no further recognition is needed.

On Monday, Israel said that it will extend the settlement freeze moratorium if Palestine recognizes it as Jewish state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it was not a condition but rather a trust-building step.

"A Palestinian state could be a cause of continued conflict and terror if it is not handled responsibly. If the Palestinians expect a national state, we can expect our own national state for the Jewish people," Netanyahu said.

Palestinians have refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state as around 20 percent of the country is made up of Arabs.

On Wednesday, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) demanded the United States and Israel to trace out a map with detailed border lines in order to determine whether it covers Palestinian territory and homes.

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