“no way” he’ll recognize Israel as a Jewish state – Abbas

West Bank – The Palestinian President says there’s “no way” he’ll recognize Israel as a Jewish state and accept just a portion of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

Palestinians fear the two demands will be key elements of a U.S. peace proposal.

Mahmoud Abbas says in comments published on Friday by the official WAFA news agency that he withstood U.S. pressure when he sought U.N. recognition for a state of Palestine and suggested he could do so again.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is to present ideas for the contours of a deal to Mr. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Gaps between the sides remain wide after seven months of Mr. Kerry’s mediation, and a framework by an April 29 deadline appears elusive.