RAMALLAH, West Bank — Revelations that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his aides were willing to scale back long-standing demands for the return of millions of Palestinian refugees in talks with Israel brought accusations of treason from his Hamas rivals Tuesday.
The apparent concession could prove to be the most politically damaging disclosure yet from documents leaked to the TV station al-Jazeera.
The network has been releasing secrets from Israeli-Palestinian negotiations based on what it said are more than 1,600 transcripts and notes.
The Western-backed Abbas dismissed al-Jazeera’s broadcasts Tuesday as “soap operas” and told hundreds of supporters at a carefully orchestrated rally that he won’t compromise on Palestinian rights.
Abbas and members of his inner circle have drawn criticism for a response that has focused on accusing al-Jazeera of distortion and smear tactics instead of engaging the substance of the leaks.
