A Palestinian official rejected future peace talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating that his people are not interested in negotiating with someone whom they felt was likely to soon be indicted. The official claimed they wanted to avoid "repeating the Olmert script."The official was referring to Ehud Olmert, prime minister of Israel from 2006-2009, who eventually went to prison on charges of corruption, making any progress he might have made in his peace talks with the Palestinians null and void. Netanyahu is currently under investigation for a range of corruption charges, and many theorize that he will soon be indicted for one or more of them.
Speaking with the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat under the condition of anonymity, the official asked, "How can an Israeli prime minister reach an agreement in this sort of situation?"
"The fate of Netanyahu is not in his own hands," he claimed. "So entering talks with Israel will be an exhausting adventure."
He added that with Olmert "we were on the verge of an agreement but eventually he had to resign over corruption."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas revealed years ago that he and Olmert were about to sign a peace accord, which included an exchange of territory, when the Israeli prime minister was indicted.
"Netanyahu was impossible to reach an agreement with under normal conditions," said the official. "So how can it be achieved now?"Translated by Hagay Hacohen.