Webcast News Service, 25 August 2010

Palestinian politicians and influential businesspeople gathered in the West Bank town of Ramallah to call on PLO terrorist leader Mahmoud Abbas not to attend U.S.-brokered peace negotiations with Israel planned next week.

The gathering brought together hundreds of academics, businesspeople, and politicians who called on Abbas to cancel the direct talks that are set to resume September 2 in Washington.

The meeting highlighted the discontent that exists among many influential Palestinians who think the negotiations will be fruitless.

Those present included billionaire Munib al-Masri, whose wealth accounts for more than a quarter of the Palestinian economy. There were also heads of various political parties, and at least one member of Abbas' cabinet.

Qais Abdul Karim, an opposition member of the Palestinian Legislative Council said Abbas should not go to negotiations that he and others believe will be counterproductive for the Palestinians.

"The consequence is that Israelis will continue their settlement building activities under the cover of the continued negotiations, paralyzing and neutralizing international public opinion and gaining this time in order to force their de-facto situation on the ground," said Karim.

Opponents say the Palestinian terrorist leader should have obtained prior guarantees from Israel that it will extend a freeze on construction in Jewish West Bank settlements past a September 26 deadline.

Wednesday's gathering had just started when supporters of the PLO terrorist leader disrupted the meeting, shouting, waving photos of Abbas, and tossing chairs. Attendees fled the building.

Some of those attending the meeting said it was Abbas' security forces who disrupted the gathering. A spokesman for the security forces says his agents did not interfere with the meeting. A statement from Abbas' office says he has called for an immediate investigation.

Israel says it wants talks without preconditions and has yet to announce whether it will extend the construction freeze. The matter has touched off a debate within the governing coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Right-wing members of the coalition, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, say limiting construction is unacceptable. Lieberman - who lives on a West Bank settlement - on Wednesday said Israel should not punish West bank settlers, and should not - in his words - "fold" under U.S. and Palestinian pressure.