Palestinian official: Kerry guarantees 1967 borders as basis for new peace talks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to restart peace talks with Israel only after receiving a letter from the U.S. secretary of state guaranteeing that the basis of the negotiations will be Israel's pre-1967 borders.
The official said Saturday that the letter from Secretary of State John Kerry to Abbas also stipulated that both the Israelis and Palestinians must refrain from taking any steps that would jeopardize the outcome of the talks.
The official says Israel is not to issue new tenders for West Bank settlements, while the Palestinians are to refrain from pursuing diplomatic actions against Israel at international organizations.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to brief the press.
There was no immediate comment from the State Department.