Former Chief Palestinian Negotiator Nabil Shaath: We Will Not Stop Payment to Prisoners and Their Families

Former chief Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath, the Fatah Commissioner for International Relations, denied that the U.S. delegation to the Middle East led by senior White House official Jared Kushner had demanded the cessation of payment to the prisoners' families and of incitement. "That is not true. They did not demand anything and did not propose anything," Shaath said, adding: "These prisoners are our heroes." He made the remarks on the official Palestinian Authority TV channel on August 27.

Interviewer: "Did [the U.S. delegation to the Middle East] give you any answers regarding the borders of the two states, or did they reiterate [their commitment] to the two-state solution?"

Nabil Shaath: "They did not provide any answers and did not make any proposals. The Israelis leaked a story that [the Americans] had talked about the need to stop the payment of salaries to the prisoners and their families and that they had demanded that the incitement stop. That is not true. They did not demand anything and did not propose anything."

Interviewer:  "Wasn't the issue discussed at all?"

Nabil Shaath: "The issue was raised, but our position in this matter is as firm as can be: these prisoners are our heroes. They are victims of the Israeli occupation. We are responsible for them and for their families."