Dahlan: Talks will waste time while settlements expand

[oberliner]

Bethlehem – Ma'an – Fatah Central Committee member Muhammad Dahlan cast doubt on the benefits of resuming peace talks between the PLO and Israel after reports that US-mediated "proximity talks" could start on Sunday.

"There is no benefit from either direct or indirect negotiations with the Israeli government as it continues settlement construction and attacks the holy sites of Palestine," Dahlan said in an interview on Thursday.

On Wednesday the Arab League gave its blessing to renewed peace negotiations at the request of President Mahmoud Abbas. US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, who offered to shuttle between the two sides in the talks is expected in the region within days. US Vice President Joe Biden is also scheduled to visit on Monday.

Dahlan's comments indicate a split within Abbas' own party on the decision to resume talks with Israel.

If the American policy is to "waste time pretending we are in negotiations" as Israel continues to build settlements and claim Palestinian heritage sites, Dahlan said, there is no point to go ahead with the talks.

"We have been sick of the occupation for years, and sick of negotiations since 2000," he said, referring to the start of the Second Intifada following civil unrest around a failure of the Oslo Accords.

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