Palestinians call off summit with Israel

By: Ahmad Hammadi

JERUSALEM: Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has cancelled on Tuesday a planned meeting with his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon set for Wednesday saying Israel was not doing enough to implement a US-backed peace 'road map'.

The move followed a statement by a senior American official that the United States was considering punishing Israel for the building of a controversial security barrier in Palestinian areas.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, Israeli sources confirmed the talks were canceled. They denied Israeli media reports that the Israeli side pulled out of the meeting because of the shooting attack in which four Israelis were injured.

Meanwhile, Palestinian women staged a protest in Hebron on Tuesday demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. They were holding the pictures of their detained relatives.

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