Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to engage in direct talks with Israel, despite pressure from both the United States and the European Union.

Partipating at an Arab League summit in Cairo, Abbas said Thursday he wants Israel to completely halt all building of homes in the West Bank and to agree, before negotiations begin, to a pullback to the 1967 armistice lines.

"When I receive written assurances (about) accepting the 1967 border and halting the settlement (building), I will go immediately to the direct talks," Abbas was quoted as saying in remarks reported by Egypt's state-owned news agency Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

This deals a blow to the Obama administration, which has been trying for months to cajole Abbas back to the negotiating table.

Of course, Israel has already offered the 1967 lines, with modifications, the basis of a peace agreement that pundits insist on telling us "everyone agrees to."