PA Negotiator Erekat addresses reporters with Secretary Kerry. Photo: State Department.

Washinton Post/AP – RAMALLAH – A Palestinian official says U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry asked the Palestinian president in their weekend meetings to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland.

The official says Mahmoud Abbas opposes the idea amid concerns it will hurt the right of return of Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel, but that talks are continuing. He spoke anonymously because Kerry doesn’t want those involved in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to talk to journalists.

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