Palestinian's Abbas Extends Hamas Deadline - News from the Middle East - SPME Scholars for Peace in the Middle East

Palestinian’s Abbas Extends Hamas Deadline

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave Hamas three more days to accept a document that implicitly recognizes Israel before he makes good on an ultimatum to bring the issue to a national referendum, an official said Tuesday.

The PLO Executive Committee accepted the document, authorizing Abbas to call a referendum on it, said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official. He said Abbas will not accept any amendments to the document. Abbas’ deadline expired Tuesday, but he gave Hamas extra time due to pressure from different officials.

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