369 US House members ask Palestinian leader to restore calm

Washington: Three hundred sixty-nine US House members want the Palestinian president to condemn violence in Israel and renew direct peace negotiations.

Lawmakers are asking Mahmoud Abbas not to incite violence, to continue security cooperation with Israel, and to agree to renew peace talks without conditions.

Their letter says Abbas and other Palestinian Authority figures are inciting violence and that unless calm is restored there’ll be little chance for a two-state solution.

The letter comes ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Washington visit next week.

Rep Ed Royce, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican chairman, and New York Rep. Eliot Engel, the top Democrat, released the letter.

Palestinians say a lack of hope for gaining independence is driving young Palestinians to desperate acts.