Israel repudiated the so-called French Initiative from its inception last year, saying international meddling encouraged the Palestinians to avoid entering direct negotiations with Israel, without conditions. Because Israel made it clear that it would boycott the Paris conference, neither side was invited. “I must say that this conference is among the last twitches of yesterday’s world,” the Israeli prime minister said in remarks before Sunday’s cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Mr. Abbas is understandably concerned about the future, and is lobbying Mr. Trump to put aside a campaign pledge to move the United States embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. More than a third said they believed armed struggle was the best means of achieving a state alongside Israel.

Source: New York Times January 15, 2017 15:42 UTC