Israel rejects U. S. pressure tactics

JERUSALEM, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Israel rejected a U.S. request to hand over land in the West Bank and Jordan Valley to Palestinian control, Israel's daily Yedioth Aharonoth newspaper said.

A report published Thursday said the recent demand stems from the need for U.S. President Barack Obama to chalk up an achievement in the Middle East peace effort before receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace in December.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly refused the American request to give the Palestinians land located in Area C (under full Israeli security and municipal control) in the West Bank, as well as in the Jordan Valley, the report said.

Netanyahu reportedly said such a move can only be discussed once negotiations with the Palestinian Authority resume, the newspaper said.

Netanyahu also said such a move cannot take place without Israel receiving something in return from the Palestinians.

The Israeli prime minister also rejected a request to release an additional 1,000 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel, aside from the number to be set free once a deal with Hamas is reached to secure the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the newspaper said.

According to the report, U.S. officials believe such a gesture will serve to strengthen Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas standing in the eyes of his people, opposite Hamas' expected victory dance when Shalit is finally released, the paper said.

Shalit has been held captive in Gaza since his abduction while on operational duty near the Gaza border in June, 2006.

In accordance with the Oslo Accords, the West Bank area was divided up into three categories, Area A, B, and C. The latter refers to areas where Israel enjoys full municipal and security control, while B grants Israel full security control and the Palestinian Authority municipal control. Area A refers to areas under full Palestinian control.