JERUSALEM, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A top Israeli government adviser is questioning whether the Palestinian Authority is Israel's true partner in peace.
"For a year we are seeing a phenomenon of refusal from Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) to go to direct talks. We see him grasping onto different pretexts in order not to go, even though no pre-conditions are being asked of him, and he is not willing to come (to the talks) under the same terms he was willing to when (Ehud) Olmert was the prime minister. This raises question marks," Arad said in the Saturday night interview, The Jerusalem Post said.
Asked if he considers the Palestinians true partners in peace, Arad said: "It is not clear, and only the future will tell whether we have a partner for a permanent agreement."
His statements came amid reports that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu appears to be on the verge of agreeing to a U.S. request to extend a settlement construction freeze for an additional 90 days in exchange for a list of incentives.
Arad said the prime minister will only bring the package for a vote in the security cabinet when he is convinced that Israel's national interests have been met. He said a written document is being prepared by the U.S. administration for Israel's review.
He stressed that no final accord with the Palestinians will be reached unless they agree to recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.
