Palestinians say Netanyahu speech will not bring peace

[Gerald]

Palestinian officials have dismissed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the US Congress, saying it will not lead to peace.

A spokesman for Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas said Mr Netanyahu had created "more obstacles".

Mr Netanyahu had told the US Congress that Israel was "willing to make painful compromises" to achieve peace.

But he rejected US President Barack Obama's call for a peace deal based on pre-1967 borders, plus land swaps.

Reacting to the speech, Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said: "What came in Netanyahu's speech will not lead to peace".

He said there was "nothing new" in the speech, "except that he is adding obstacles on the road towards a genuine, serious, lasting and comprehensive peace".

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said the speech proved Israel could not be a partner for peace in the region.

Mr Erekat said Mr Netanyahu was seeking to "dictate the results" of negotiations before they had begun.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13534775


Note: 25 May 2011 Last updated at 00:58 GMT