Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa on Thursday criticized conditions set by Western governments and Israel that say the Hamas-led Palestinian government must renounce violence and recognize Israel before official contacts are possible.
"The Palestinian question is one of military occupation. It is not a terrorist issue. And it is one that should be solved through negotiations," Moussa said at a news conference during a meeting between China and Arab governments.
"We say that Palestine cannot be forced to accept any of these so-called conditions," he said.
Moussa was responding to a request for comment on China's appeal this week for the Palestinian government to renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept "agreements already reached" -- conditions set by Israel and Western governments for official contact.
Moussa said the "core issue" is that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, which he said should end before any conditions can be introduced.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar took part in the Sino-Arab conference but did not attend the news conference.
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