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Source: http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD244009
Palestinian Negotiator: Over the Years, Israel Has Gradually Withdrawn from Its Positions; Therefore, We Have No Reason to Hurry
[MEMRI] In a June 25, 2009, interview with the Jordanian daily Al-Dustour, top PA negotiator Saeb Erekat said that there had been a steady erosion in Israel's position over the years, to the point that the previous Israeli government had offered the PA territory equal in size to 100% of the land occupied in 1967, by means of a land swap. Therefore, the Palestinians had no reason to rush into accepting the Israeli proposals. He stressed that the Palestinians would insist on receiving both the "right of return" and monetary compensation for the refugees. "I estimate that we are talking about $140 billion." In addition, Erekat said: "Abbas told [former Prime Minister Olmert] that, according to the map he had obtained from a friendly country, the [Israeli] settlements that have been built to date occupy 1.2% of the West Bank, including east Jerusalem," and that "nobody should agree to Israeli settlers remaining in the Palestinian [state]."