Abbas sets three-day deadline on Israel recognition plan

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has given Hamas three more days to accept a document that implicitly recognises Israel before he makes good on an ultimatum to bring the issue to a national referendum, an official said today.

The PLO Executive Committee accepted the document, authorising Abbas to call a referendum on it, said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official.

He said Abbas will not accept any amendments to the document.

Abbas’ deadline expired today, but he gave Hamas extra time due to pressure from some officials.