The Palestinian Authority’s chief negotiator, Ahmed Quriea, announced on Wednesday that a miracle will be required to reach a peace agreement with Israel by the end of the year.

Seeking to increase pressure on Israel to achieve it agenda, the PA is calling upon the European Union not to up Israel’s status until Jerusalem abandons building plans in “occupied areas,” referring to portions of Yerushalayim which were liberated by Israel in the June 1967 Six Day War.

Quriea told a Fatah faction meeting that short of a miracle, despite pressure from US President Bush, it is unlikely that any substantial agreement will be signed by the end-of-year deadline.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)