Chairman of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mahmoud Abbas briefed officials in Ramallah on Saturday about the progress of ongoing peace talks with Israel. 

Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina stated at Saturday’s briefing that Abbas had told US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry, whom Abbas met this week, that he would not yield the right to a Palestinian state – even if they pressured or threatened him, according to Voice of Israel radio. 

Rudeina also stressed that the PA would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state and announced that the PA demands a just solution to the “Palestinian refugee problem,” and a sovereign state with its capital in East Jerusalem – sans “settlers” or an IDF presence.

He added a claim that the PA “would still hold the door open” for peace, however. 

Abbas has consistently said that unless all his preconditions are met, there will be no peace with Israel. 

The PA has already formally refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state throughout talks, stating that “the Arab states will never recognize a Jewish state.” 

In addition, the PA Chairman will reportedly only agree to extend talks if Israel allows a “right of return” for Palestinian Arabs, free terrorist leaders, and withdraw from Judea and Samaria.