Rivlin to UN envoy Power: Tell Abbas we want talks

President Reuven Rivlin, meeting with US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, asks her to pass on a message to PA President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel is seeking renewed peace negotiations and rebuffing unilateral moves.

Samantha Power, left, and Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem on February 15, 2016. Mark Neyman / GPO)
Samantha Power, left, and Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem on February 15, 2016. Mark Neyman / GPO)

“I know that you are meeting the Palestinians, and I would ask to transfer once again a message to President Abbas, that he must understand the conflict between us — the tragedy between us — can only be solved through direct negotiations. No solution can be imposed on either side, and we must negotiate to come to an understanding,” he says, according to a statement from his office.

Power, who met with PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Saturday, says she wants to hear Rivlin’s ideas for getting the peace process rolling again.

“At a time of difficult and tragic violence in which so many Israeli and Palestinian families have suffered, I am keen to hear your thoughts about how tensions can be calm, and how we can get back on track in the hope that a solution can be negotiated,” she says.

Abbas is currently in Japan and it’s not clear if Power is scheduled to meet with him.

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