Israel's demand to be recognized as Jewish state roils preparations for Annapolis

An Israeli demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state lies at the heart of the latest crisis to upset preparations for an upcoming Mideast peace conference.

In Israel's eyes, the demand seems obvious. Israel has always defined itself as the homeland of the Jewish people.

But the Palestinians think offering that recognition would imply they are dropping one of their key demands in any peace deal — a solution for Palestinian refugees who lost their homes after Israel's 1948 creation and for their millions of descendants. Israel opposes a return of refugees, for fear they would eventually outnumber the Jewish majority.

The Palestinians see Israel's insistence that they recognize its Jewish nature now as no less than a last-minute effort to sabotage the conference, which is to take place in Annapolis, Maryland, at the end of the month.

"I know why you want to say it's purely Jewish, so there is no room for any refugees," said Palestinian negotiator Yasser Abed Rabbo. "Why should I do that?"