RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinians will study alternatives to peace talks with Israel in the coming days, a top PLO official said Saturday, after Israel gave the green light to build 238 new houses for Jews on war-won land that Palestinians seek for their state.
However, it is unlikely the Palestinians will take any dramatic steps before Nov. 2 midterm elections in the United States because Arab leaders have promised the Obama administration more time — until a few days after the vote — to try to relaunch negotiations. The statements Saturday seemed intended mainly as a new warning that U.S. peace efforts are in trouble.
The negotiations, launched by the United States in early September, broke down over Israel’s refusal to extend a limited curb on construction in West Bank settlements, which are deemed illegal by the international community.
Israeli officials said the construction was in East Jerusalem areas that will stay in Israeli hands in any proposed peace plan and in no way contradicted Israel’s goal of reaching peace with the Palestinians.
On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organization and his Fatah movement at his headquarters in the West Bank. The Palestinians plan to study their options in coming days, said Yasser Abed Rabbo, the secretary-general of the PLO.
Fatah official Mohammed Ishtayeh said the Palestinians will have prepared options by the time they consult with the Arab League in three weeks.
“We and the Arabs will choose which of these options can be implemented,” he said. “It’s not just a matter of going here or there, without having an outcome on the ground, because some of these options need American consent or facilitation.”
