Ben Smith has the details of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s unusual dinner with Jewish-American politicos last night. Guests included Elliot Abrams, Sandy Berger, and Stephen Hadley, along with reps from both AIPAC and J Street.

Abbas reassured the leaders that he — unlike Hamas — recognizes Israel’s right to most of its territory.
“The leader of the Palestinian people telling the American Jewish community that the only solution to the conflict is two states living side by side in peace and security. 67 borders with adjustments. West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state. Recognizing Israel’s right to exist and to determine for itself whether it’s a Jewish state, a state of all its citizens, etc. That as he said is up to the citizens of Israel to decide – not the Palestinians,” said J Street founder Jeremy Ben Ami in an email.
But other attendees were less satisfied with Abbas’s answers on specific issues. Pressed repeatedly by Council of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations Chairman Alan Solow and others, Abbas didn’t directly answer the question of why he wouldn’t simply accede to Netanyahu’s demand for direct talks.
Abbas blamed the hold-up in talks on the White House, noting that they had raised the issue of settlements: “They are the ones who requested for the Israelis to stop settlements, what do you expect of me? Less than them?” he was quoted saying in paraphrase.

More here.