Palestinian president says Israel must end settlements to achieve lasting peace agreement

Palestinian leader urges Israel to end settlements

WASHINGTON — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling on Israel to end Jewish settlements in the West Bank and other areas that the Palestinians want to be part off their own state.

The Palestinian leader spoke at the State Department at the opening of face-to-face peace negotiations with Israel.

Abbas says the negotiators face many hurdles. But he says the goals are clear and the path to an enduring peace is known to both sides. He says that means it should be possible to achieve a final agreement within one year, as prescribed by the U.S.

Abbas spoke shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that a lasting peace was not possible without security assurances for Israel.