Israel's demands would start a Palestinian civil war

The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday accused Israel of trying to push Palestinians to civil war by insisting that the PA disarm resistance groups, particularly Hamas.

IRNA today reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel was trying to avoid serious negotiations and was resorting to a policy of provocation and distraction.

Speaking during a televised address marking the so-called Palestinian declaration of independence Tuesday evening, Abbas said the Israel was acting as if the Palestinian Authority did not exist. "We are observing that Israel is determined that the Palestinians undergo a civil war."

He said the PA would never employ violence with Palestinian resistance groups and that it would only employ persuasion to achieve "our goals."