Seeking to throw the ball back into Israel�s court, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has announced that only after Israel implements a total building freeze as is being demanded by the international community can the PA be expected to begin taking confidence-building steps towards normalized diplomatic relations with Israel.

Abu Mazen is in the midst of a diplomatic mission taking him to Qatar, Libya, Spain, France and Egypt, seeking to drum up support for his position and to increase pressure against Israel.

�Only a total construction freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron will permit a resumption of talks with Israel� is the message being delivered to the international community by Abu Mazen.

He labels Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as not taking regional peace efforts seriously, insisting Israel�s unwillingness to comply with dictates from the international community is hampering the process.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)