Abbas: Peace shouldn't happen through settlements

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas tells President Barack Obama that peace with Israel should not be achieved through violence, occupation, settlements, arrests or denial of refugee rights.

Abbas made his comments during a joint news conference by the two leaders. The remarks amounted to a list of grievances against Israel.

Palestinians argue they cannot negotiate a border between Israel and a future Palestine while Israel unilaterally shapes that line through accelerated settlement building.

Abbas reiterated a desire for a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem — territories Israel captured in the 1967 war. Since 1967, Israel has built dozens of settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem that are now home to 560,000 Israelis — an increase of 60,000 since Obama became president.