Israeli, Palestinian officials talk smack on Twitter

Israeli and Palestinian leaders are trading barbs over each side’s accusation that the other is unwilling to return to peace talks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweets a video on Monday with the text, “I heard President Abbas say that if I invite him to meet, he’ll come. So I’m inviting him. I’ve cleared my schedule.”

I heard President Abbas say that if I invite him to meet, he'll come. So I'm inviting him. I've cleared my schedule.https://t.co/jXEdWR8n3n

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 4, 2016

On Tuesday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry, also headed by Netanyahu, throws down the gauntlet.

“#MahmoudAbbas, @IsraeliPM is inviting you to negotiate #peace. @nadplo, the ball is in your court now!”

Or to translate for those unfamiliar with Twitter, “Mahmoud Abbas, Netanyahu is inviting you to negotiate peace. Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department, the ball is in you court now!”

#MahmoudAbbas, @IsraeliPM is inviting you to negotiate #peace. @nadplo, the ball is in your court now! https://t.co/pTGClXZhNx

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 5, 2016

But the PLO NAD was not impressed. “Negotiate what exactly?” it wonders aloud.

Negotiate what exactly? https://t.co/h13QYdknp9

— Palestine PLO-NAD (@nadplo) April 5, 2016

No word on how the Twitter exchange has advanced the cause of peace.