Abbas,Netanyahu won’t meet unless settlements stop

President Abbas' office said Saturday that he will not meet with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu unless Israel completely halts settlement activity. An Israeli official, who wished to remain anonymous, had told Ma'an earlier on Saturday that Netanyahu was ready to meet Abbas anytime, anywhere. “Such a meeting is contingent upon halting settlement activities completely. It isn’t a meeting for public relations," Presidential adviser Nimir Hammad told Ma’an in response on Saturday evening. Mark Regev, the spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, said Saturday that the Palestinians had decided to "boycott" negotiations, despite repeated statements by PA officials that they are ready to negotiate once Israel fulfills its obligations under international law and the Road Map. Last month PLO official Saeb Erekat said that the PA is willing to discuss all final status issues "once Israel proves its seriousness and commitment by freezing all its illegal settlement construction in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in occupied East Jerusalem." The diplomatic quartet -- US, Russia, UN and European Union -- sought to relaunch talks after President Abbas submitted Palestine's bid for full membership of the negotiations on Oct. 23, but the month deadline set for direct talks passed without incident. Palestinian leaders say they have little to show for over 20 years of negotiations and that Israeli settlements are annexing land which is meant to form part of their future state. Israel has occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem since 1967.