Abbas was asked about his birthplace of Safed and his response included remarks to the effect that he does not claim the right to live there. The President's advisor said he was being "realistic" by making such statements. Bringing back 5.5 million Palestinian refugees is certainly not realistic.
Disappointment was felt by Palestinians that their leader made an overture to Israel without any reciprocation. Some went so far as to say Abbas is a failure.
Comments of the like, of course, prompted a little two-stepping with additional comments that what he said was a personal position and it did not mean conceding the right of return.
Political opponent Hamas completely rejects the idea of negotiation and believe that only violence will gain what Palestinians desire.
Cool reaction from Netanyahu In Israel, officials debated how serious Abbas was. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his Cabinet reacted coolly, even mistrustfully, to Abbas' remarks.
And complicating the issue with an uncharacteristic burst of honesty, Israel lately admitted killing a deputy of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Thank goodness Israeli moderates view these developments as a chance to negotiate with a person they consider a partner for peacemaking.
The world can only hope that this could at long last revive the prospect of peace in the area.
(Source: NBC News)
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