Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas turned down offers to meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, rebuffing attempts by European Union leaders to bring the two together, according to Israel national news.

On Wednesday, EU President Martin Schultz urged the Abbas and Rivlin to meet, even briefly, while the two visited the European Parliament in Brussels.

While the Israeli president accepted the offer, on Thursday Abbas said he would not meet with Rivlin.

Both presidents are visiting the European Union capital to meet with the EU’s Foreign Affairs Representative Federica Mogherini and address the EU parliament.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu green-lighted Rivlin’s meeting with Abbas, in keeping with his pledge in April to conduct talks with the Palestinian Authority leader “at any time ”. 

Source ; MENA