Palestinian official warns of unrest Palestinians hurls stones at Israeli troops during clashes after a demonstration in solidarity with Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan, who engaged in a two-month hunger strike, outside the Ofer military prison in Bitunia, West Bank, Feb. 21. A Palestinian official warned a third intifada could break out unless the peace process makes progress. UPI/Debbie Hill RAMALLAH, West Bank, March 1 (UPI) -- A senior Palestinian Authority official warned the ongoing stalemate in the peace process could trigger widespread protests. The unnamed official told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday the Israeli government is "obviously interested in seeing the Palestinians erupt into violence so that it could use that as an excuse to avoid peace talks and step up military aggression against our people." The official warned if another intifada (popular uprising) erupts, it will be because of Israel's settlement expansion, arrests and killings. The newspaper noted the official's comments were in response to the publication of a Foreign Ministry report by Haaretz earlier this week that warned of the possibility of a third intifada this year. The ministry report said the instability in the Middle East, coupled with the stalled peace process, could prompt the Palestinians to increase violence against Israel. The senior Palestinian official stressed the Palestinian leadership does not support violence and believes only peaceful means will assist in achieving Palestinian rights but added the Palestinian people "believe in popular resistance against the occupation."