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In a surprise move that could derail US peace efforts, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has resumed a campaign for further international recognition of a state of Palestine, despite a previous promise to suspend such efforts during nine months of negotiations with Israel.
Shortly after Abbas' announcement yesterday, US Secretary of State John Kerry cancelled plans to return to the Middle East today, but also said it's "completely premature" to write off the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks he restarted in late July.
"We are continuing, even now ... To be engaged with both parties," Kerry told a news conference in Brussels, where he was attending a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
"We urge both sides to show restraint while we work with them."
There was no immediate Israeli comment. However, Abbas' decision threw into doubt Israeli claims that a deal was emerging that would have extended Israel-Palestinian talks beyond an April 29 deadline and included the release of Jonathan Pollard, an American convicted of spying on the US for Israel in the 1980s.
It remained unclear whether Abbas' dramatic announcement was a negotiating tactic or signalled a fundamental shift in strategy.
In a hastily convened ceremony televised live from his West Bank headquarters, Abbas signed applications for Palestinians to join to 15 international treaties and conventions.
Abbas said he was compelled to act because Israel had failed to carry out a promised release of Palestinian prisoners by the end of March.
At the same time, Abbas said he is not seeking a confrontation with the United States and remains determined to "reach a peaceful solution through negotiations" with Israel.
A senior aide, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, later urged the international community to pressure Israel to release the prisoners, indicating that the Palestinians might reverse course if their demand is met.
Still, Abbas' surprise decision signalled a new crisis in Kerry's troubled peace efforts.
Kerry had nudged Israelis and Palestinians back to the table in July, after a five-year break in negotiations, and got them to commit to nine months of negotiations, until April 29.
The target was to reach a framework deal on the terms of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
As part of the resumption of talks, Abbas had promised to suspend efforts to seek further international recognition of a state of Palestine for nine months.
