DHAKA: The Palestinians have rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the crumbling peace talks beyond April 29, saying it was akin to ‘blackmail’.

A Palestinian official in Ramallah told media on Monday, reports TDS.

‘Israel is practising a policy of blackmail and linking its agreement to releasing the fourth batch of prisoners with the Palestinians accepting to extend the negotiations,’ the official said following a late-night meeting at which the proposal was laid out to chief negotiator Saeb Erakat.

BDST: 2101 HRS, MAR 31, 2014