Peace Deal Possible in 6 Months: Mahmoud Abbas

RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he has told Israel’s defense minister a peace deal could be reached in six months if Israel freezes settlement construction during that time.

Abbas says he made the proposal when he spoke on the phone with Ehud Barak three weeks ago. Abbas told Israel’s Haaretz daily in an interview published Wednesday that he has not received an Israeli response.

Israel has rejected Palestinian and U.S. demands that it freeze settlement building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, war-won lands the Palestinians want for a future state.

Israel has announced restrictions on new housing construction in the West Bank, but Abbas says he won’t resume peace talks without a freeze that also covers east Jerusalem.