JERUSALEM � The Palestinian president is leaving the door open to continuing peace negotiations with Israel � even if the Jewish state resumes settlement construction in the West Bank.
Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly threatened to walk away from newly relaunched talks if Israel begins building in the settlements after a 10-month moratorium expires on Sunday.
Israel has said the slowdown will not be extended.
Abbas told American Jewish leaders in New York late Tuesday it would be "very difficult" to continue the talks if building resumes but added that he "cannot say" definitively that he would walk away.
His comments appear to soften his previous ultimatum to do so, offering a glimmer of hope that a compromise will be reached.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
JERUSALEM (AP) � Police say Palestinian residents are rioting in a contested east Jerusalem neighborhood after an Israeli security guard fatally shot a Palestinian protester.
Police say an Israeli security guard was pelted with stones, after which he drew his weapon and fired, killing a 32-year-old Palestinian. Residents identified the man as Samer Sarhan.
Police spokesman Shmuel Ben Ruby says protesters are hurling stones at police troops in Silwan. He says the dead man had a criminal record.
About 50,000 Palestinians and 70 Jewish families live in Silwan and tensions have been high over a municipal plan that includes demolition of Palestinian homes. Clashes have been common in recent weeks.
Israel captured and annexed east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war.
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