Palestinians reject Israeli incitement against Abbas

The Palestinian presidency on Tuesday rejected what it called Israeli government's incitement against President Mahmoud Abbas. Nabil Abu Rdineh, spokesperson for the presidency, said in a statement that the Israeli campaign against Abbas "reveals that Israel rejects any real, viable peace." He added that Abbas is sticking to the Palestinian people's national principles and that's what angers the Israelis. On Saturday, Abbas affirmed that there will be no peace deal with Israel that doesn't include East Jerusalem as the Palestinian state's capital. He also rejected Israel's demands to recognize it as a home for Jews. Abu Rdineh urged Israel to review its positions, its commitment in the peace process and stop putting obstacles on the way of peace talks, already underway. Over the past two days, several Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attacked Abbas for his recent remarks. Netanyahu said that Abbas is unwilling to make decisions needed to continue the negotiations, while defense minister Moshe Yaalon said Abbas was not a peace partner.