1 aug 2013
Martin Indyk’s selection by Secretary of State John Kerry as the Special Envoy for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority summoned memories of an appearance I witnessed at J Street’s first annual convention in Washington DC in 2009. I remembered stumbling into a huge auditorium to hear Indyk describe how he made “aliyah to Washington” during the 1980’s to ensure that US policy remained slanted in Israel’s favor, and go on to blame Yasser Arafat for the failure of Camp David.
I searched out the video of Indyk’s J Street appearance and confirmed my memories. In a candid address, speaking without notes, Indyk told his audience how as a young man studying in Jerusalem, he wound up volunteering to assist Israel during the 1973 war. He witnessed Israel pushed to the brink by a coordinated Egyptian-Syrian attack designed to recover the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. Nixon and Kissinger’s generous emergency shipment of arms, which enabled Israel to push back the Arab armies, clarified for Indyk the role America should play in the Middle East. It was then that he decided on a career as an inside-the-Beltway operator.
“And that is why I chose to make aliyah to Washington,” Indyk half-jokingly declared. (Why Two States? Why Now? – American Perspective from J Street on Vimeo.)
Here are excerpts of Indyk’s remarks. He began by stating that the only way to guarantee “Israel’s security and well-being” was to work for peace:
I came to that conclusion 35 years ago when I was a student in Jerusalem and the Yom Kippur war broke out, I worked as a volunteer there in those terrible days when Israel’s survival seemed to hang in the balance and I witnessed the misery of war and the critical role that the United States in the form of Henry Kissinger played through activist diplomacy in forging a peace out of that horrendous war.
It was from that point on — as some of you would know I was an Australian in those days — that I became convinced that the US role in helping Israel to achieve peace was absolutely critical and remains today the sine qua non, without which nothing else in the end will become possible. And that is why I chose to make aliyah to Washington [laughter from crowd], and to work to try to understand and work on us diplomacy towards resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Indyk’s “aliyah” came in the form of a position at the Israel lobby group AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) as a deputy researcher in 1982. Three years later, he and Dennis Ross founded the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), an AIPAC-linked think tank. Ross’s first paper for WINEP, which he published in 1985, demanded the appointment of “a non-Arabist Special Middle East envoy” who would not “feel guilty about our relationship with Israel and our reluctance to force Israeli consensus.”
At the personal recommendation of the Israeli-American media tycoon Haim Saban, who raised $3.5 million for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and later paid for the construction of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, Clinton appointed Indyk as US Ambassador to Israel. Ross joined the administration as Special Envoy to the Middle East, precisely the position he had dreamed up in his WINEP position paper. Almost two decades later, Indyk has returned to public life in Ross’s former role.
At J Street, Indyk described Yitzhak Rabin and Clinton’s approach to the peace process as his template for negotiations. He recalled Rabin declaring, “What we need is separation, your people and my people, we need separation, not out of hatred but out of respect.” Indyk explained, “That was Yitzhak Rabin’s vision and his purpose in trying to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians… The challenge of Americans is to return to that process.”
Beyond the absurd logic that defines forced ethnic separation as “respectful,” Rabin was in fact a hard separationist who promised Israelis he would “take Gaza out of Tel Aviv.” After agreeing to the Oslo Accords, Rabin ordered the mass revocation of Palestinian work permits inside Israel, trapping hundreds of thousands inside cities and villages. He inaugurated plans for a barrier separating “Israel proper” from the West Bank, laying the groundwork for the separation wall constructed under the watch of Ariel Sharon, and he presided over the installation of the first sections of fencing around the Gaza Strip. Though few of Rabin’s hagiographers will admit it, his policies of hard separation set the stage for the Second Intifada, driving occupied Palestinians deeper into economic misery and ghettoization.
Speaking before J Street, Indyk placed the blame for the bloodshed of the Second Intifada squarely on Yasser Arafat’s shoulders. He derided the late PA chairman as having “that big shit-eating grin of his” and assailed him for refusing to accept the Clinton Parameters, omitting the fact that Arafat ultimately accepted them with grave reservations and questions:
I remember Shimon Peres saying to me at the time when Arafat had to decide whether to accept the Clinton Parameters, he said, history is a horse that gallops past your window and the true act of a statesman is to jump from the window on to a galloping horse. But of course Arafat let the galloping horse pass by leaving the Israelis and Palestinians mired in misery.
Indyk is back at the center of heavily ballyhooed negotiations that seem doomed from the start. Is he preparing to blame the Palestinians again?
I searched out the video of Indyk’s J Street appearance and confirmed my memories. In a candid address, speaking without notes, Indyk told his audience how as a young man studying in Jerusalem, he wound up volunteering to assist Israel during the 1973 war. He witnessed Israel pushed to the brink by a coordinated Egyptian-Syrian attack designed to recover the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. Nixon and Kissinger’s generous emergency shipment of arms, which enabled Israel to push back the Arab armies, clarified for Indyk the role America should play in the Middle East. It was then that he decided on a career as an inside-the-Beltway operator.
“And that is why I chose to make aliyah to Washington,” Indyk half-jokingly declared. (Why Two States? Why Now? – American Perspective from J Street on Vimeo.)
Here are excerpts of Indyk’s remarks. He began by stating that the only way to guarantee “Israel’s security and well-being” was to work for peace:
I came to that conclusion 35 years ago when I was a student in Jerusalem and the Yom Kippur war broke out, I worked as a volunteer there in those terrible days when Israel’s survival seemed to hang in the balance and I witnessed the misery of war and the critical role that the United States in the form of Henry Kissinger played through activist diplomacy in forging a peace out of that horrendous war.
It was from that point on — as some of you would know I was an Australian in those days — that I became convinced that the US role in helping Israel to achieve peace was absolutely critical and remains today the sine qua non, without which nothing else in the end will become possible. And that is why I chose to make aliyah to Washington [laughter from crowd], and to work to try to understand and work on us diplomacy towards resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Indyk’s “aliyah” came in the form of a position at the Israel lobby group AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) as a deputy researcher in 1982. Three years later, he and Dennis Ross founded the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), an AIPAC-linked think tank. Ross’s first paper for WINEP, which he published in 1985, demanded the appointment of “a non-Arabist Special Middle East envoy” who would not “feel guilty about our relationship with Israel and our reluctance to force Israeli consensus.”
At the personal recommendation of the Israeli-American media tycoon Haim Saban, who raised $3.5 million for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, and later paid for the construction of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, Clinton appointed Indyk as US Ambassador to Israel. Ross joined the administration as Special Envoy to the Middle East, precisely the position he had dreamed up in his WINEP position paper. Almost two decades later, Indyk has returned to public life in Ross’s former role.
At J Street, Indyk described Yitzhak Rabin and Clinton’s approach to the peace process as his template for negotiations. He recalled Rabin declaring, “What we need is separation, your people and my people, we need separation, not out of hatred but out of respect.” Indyk explained, “That was Yitzhak Rabin’s vision and his purpose in trying to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians… The challenge of Americans is to return to that process.”
Beyond the absurd logic that defines forced ethnic separation as “respectful,” Rabin was in fact a hard separationist who promised Israelis he would “take Gaza out of Tel Aviv.” After agreeing to the Oslo Accords, Rabin ordered the mass revocation of Palestinian work permits inside Israel, trapping hundreds of thousands inside cities and villages. He inaugurated plans for a barrier separating “Israel proper” from the West Bank, laying the groundwork for the separation wall constructed under the watch of Ariel Sharon, and he presided over the installation of the first sections of fencing around the Gaza Strip. Though few of Rabin’s hagiographers will admit it, his policies of hard separation set the stage for the Second Intifada, driving occupied Palestinians deeper into economic misery and ghettoization.
Speaking before J Street, Indyk placed the blame for the bloodshed of the Second Intifada squarely on Yasser Arafat’s shoulders. He derided the late PA chairman as having “that big shit-eating grin of his” and assailed him for refusing to accept the Clinton Parameters, omitting the fact that Arafat ultimately accepted them with grave reservations and questions:
I remember Shimon Peres saying to me at the time when Arafat had to decide whether to accept the Clinton Parameters, he said, history is a horse that gallops past your window and the true act of a statesman is to jump from the window on to a galloping horse. But of course Arafat let the galloping horse pass by leaving the Israelis and Palestinians mired in misery.
Indyk is back at the center of heavily ballyhooed negotiations that seem doomed from the start. Is he preparing to blame the Palestinians again?
Abdul-Sattar Qassem, professor of political science at An-Najah National University, said that any party that coordinates with the occupation could also participate in the incitement campaign against the resistance. Concerning the documents published by Hamas movement, he stated that any party that participates in the security and administrative coordination with the occupation could never be trusted.
The resistance and security coordination with the occupation are two contradictory lines could never meet, he pointed out.
Qassem called on Hamas and resistance factions not to support "the people of falsehood" who should be removed from the national equation.
The Israeli authorities inform its people of everything going on concerning the negotiations, however the Palestinian people is in a continued maze since 1991.
Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zahri the spokesman for Hamas movement called on PA president Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the Palestinian media and security committee in Egypt that was formed to launch an incitement campaign against Hamas movement.
Abu Zahri said that only this step would put an end to the incitement against the Palestinian resistance and to restore the Palestinian internal relation.
The resistance and security coordination with the occupation are two contradictory lines could never meet, he pointed out.
Qassem called on Hamas and resistance factions not to support "the people of falsehood" who should be removed from the national equation.
The Israeli authorities inform its people of everything going on concerning the negotiations, however the Palestinian people is in a continued maze since 1991.
Meanwhile, Sami Abu Zahri the spokesman for Hamas movement called on PA president Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the Palestinian media and security committee in Egypt that was formed to launch an incitement campaign against Hamas movement.
Abu Zahri said that only this step would put an end to the incitement against the Palestinian resistance and to restore the Palestinian internal relation.
Alliance of Palestinian Forces in Lebanon denounced Abbas's decision to resume talks under American pressures despite persistent Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. Resumption of talks with the Israeli occupation is a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause and a cover for the Israeli crimes particularly settlement expansion, Judaization, confiscation of lands and expulsion of Negev Bedouins, in addition to tightening the siege on Gaza, the alliance statement said.
The alliance called on PA and PLO leadership to stop the absurd negotiations and to work to achieve the national reconciliation and unity in addition to build a Palestinian strategy based on resistance option and the Palestinian national constants.
The alliance called on PA and PLO leadership to stop the absurd negotiations and to work to achieve the national reconciliation and unity in addition to build a Palestinian strategy based on resistance option and the Palestinian national constants.
The democratic front for the liberation of Palestine (DFLP) said that the participation of the Palestinian authority (PA) in the US-sponsored talks with Israel are a wrong step and violate the national consensus. According to Quds Press, an official source from the democratic front stated on Wednesday that the engagement of the PA in these talks violated the requirements that were set by most of the Palestinian factions and national figures.
He said that the political forces in the Palestinian arena had demanded the PA to abide by requirements for its participation in the peace talks with Israel, based on the 1967 borders, and Israel's commitment to end all settlement activities, respect relevant international resolutions, and release the long-serving prisoners.
The official also belittled the guarantees offered by US secretary of state John Kerry to the PA while Israel insists on refusing the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
The official also called on the executive committee of the Palestinian liberation organization (PLO), which had unanimously opposed the current peace talks with Israel, to urgently convene to work on correcting the Palestinian position and obliging the PA to abide by the national requirements.
He said that the political forces in the Palestinian arena had demanded the PA to abide by requirements for its participation in the peace talks with Israel, based on the 1967 borders, and Israel's commitment to end all settlement activities, respect relevant international resolutions, and release the long-serving prisoners.
The official also belittled the guarantees offered by US secretary of state John Kerry to the PA while Israel insists on refusing the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
The official also called on the executive committee of the Palestinian liberation organization (PLO), which had unanimously opposed the current peace talks with Israel, to urgently convene to work on correcting the Palestinian position and obliging the PA to abide by the national requirements.
US Secretary of State John Kerry estimated in conversations with Congressmen that Israel will retain 85% of the settlement blocs in a future peace deal, Yedioth Ahronoth Israeli newspaper reported.
According to the newspaper's report, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators who recently met in Washington have discussed, along with the timetables for negotiations, the fate of the West Bank settlements and the possibility of land swaps.
The report revealed that Kerry have phoned Israel's Minister Tzipi Livni, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and several congressmen to report about the talks.
Kerry assured the congressmen, most of whom were pro-Israel, that Israel's interests are being safeguarded.
According to one of the congressmen, Kerry said he believed 85% of Israel's biggest settlement blocs will remain under Israeli sovereignty." He added that the US administration had safeguarded Israel's interests.
The congressman, who described himself a true friend of Israel, asked Kerry whether the Palestinians will ever recognize Israel as a Jewish state, to which the secretary of state reportedly replied "that's one of my goals. A homeland for the Jewish people," the newspaper also reported.
According to the newspaper's report, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators who recently met in Washington have discussed, along with the timetables for negotiations, the fate of the West Bank settlements and the possibility of land swaps.
The report revealed that Kerry have phoned Israel's Minister Tzipi Livni, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and several congressmen to report about the talks.
Kerry assured the congressmen, most of whom were pro-Israel, that Israel's interests are being safeguarded.
According to one of the congressmen, Kerry said he believed 85% of Israel's biggest settlement blocs will remain under Israeli sovereignty." He added that the US administration had safeguarded Israel's interests.
The congressman, who described himself a true friend of Israel, asked Kerry whether the Palestinians will ever recognize Israel as a Jewish state, to which the secretary of state reportedly replied "that's one of my goals. A homeland for the Jewish people," the newspaper also reported.
The United States government continues to claim neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, despite all evidence to the contrary. Israel’s dependency on the US creates a power dynamic in which the United States has a strong grip on Israel. This explains why some Palestinians have demanded the United States as a presence in the negotiations.
The United States’s Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Special Envoy for the Negotiations, Martin Indyk, host the Israeli-Palestinian negotiation talks in Washington. Such sensitive political topics require a non-bias mediator, right? And which nation could be less bias than the United States? Don’t mind that Indyk was recruited as a member of the main pro-Israel lobby group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in 1983. Don’t mind that the Israeli Army, which continually assaults and harasses innocent Palestinians, is subsidized by American taxpayers.
The United States government continues to claim neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, despite reality: The state of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and the Israeli Occupation Force’s continued terrorization of Palestinians would not be possible without the unconditional financial, diplomatic, and military support of the United States. Israel’s dependency on the US is not one-sided; it is the US’ only trusted and long-term ally in the Middle East. An ally the US desperately needs for everything from military bases in the region, surveillance of Arab countries, and the so-called “War on Terror.”
The US’s pro-Israel bias is blindingly apparent, but there is more to the story. Israel’s dependency on the US financially, and diplomatically [as the only superpower allied with Israel], creates a power dynamic between the two nations, whereby the United States has a strong grip on Israel. This explains why some Palestinians, despite their knowledge of US bias, have demanded the United States as a presence in the negotiations. Washington, if it is willing to, has the power to pressure the State of Israel into reasonable compromises.
While some Palestinian negotiators have decided to mobilize the US’s hold on Israel by demanding US presence at the negotiations, others are deeply distressed by the PA’s decision to reopen talks with Israel, thereby backtracking on its original intention to join international organizations, including the international criminal court. This is further aggravated by the fact that the agreement to a minimum of nine months of peace negotiations, didn’t come with a commitment to meet Palestine’s minimum requirements, primarily a Palestinian state with the 1967 borders and the termination of settlements. Among the dissatisfied Palestinians is a network of 133 NGOs, which underscored in a press release on Monday that “It is clear to all that the occupation state is persistent in building settlement units, expanding settlements, annexing lands and Judaizing Jerusalem despite its approval to resume the negotiations.”
The United States’s Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Special Envoy for the Negotiations, Martin Indyk, host the Israeli-Palestinian negotiation talks in Washington. Such sensitive political topics require a non-bias mediator, right? And which nation could be less bias than the United States? Don’t mind that Indyk was recruited as a member of the main pro-Israel lobby group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in 1983. Don’t mind that the Israeli Army, which continually assaults and harasses innocent Palestinians, is subsidized by American taxpayers.
The United States government continues to claim neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, despite reality: The state of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and the Israeli Occupation Force’s continued terrorization of Palestinians would not be possible without the unconditional financial, diplomatic, and military support of the United States. Israel’s dependency on the US is not one-sided; it is the US’ only trusted and long-term ally in the Middle East. An ally the US desperately needs for everything from military bases in the region, surveillance of Arab countries, and the so-called “War on Terror.”
The US’s pro-Israel bias is blindingly apparent, but there is more to the story. Israel’s dependency on the US financially, and diplomatically [as the only superpower allied with Israel], creates a power dynamic between the two nations, whereby the United States has a strong grip on Israel. This explains why some Palestinians, despite their knowledge of US bias, have demanded the United States as a presence in the negotiations. Washington, if it is willing to, has the power to pressure the State of Israel into reasonable compromises.
While some Palestinian negotiators have decided to mobilize the US’s hold on Israel by demanding US presence at the negotiations, others are deeply distressed by the PA’s decision to reopen talks with Israel, thereby backtracking on its original intention to join international organizations, including the international criminal court. This is further aggravated by the fact that the agreement to a minimum of nine months of peace negotiations, didn’t come with a commitment to meet Palestine’s minimum requirements, primarily a Palestinian state with the 1967 borders and the termination of settlements. Among the dissatisfied Palestinians is a network of 133 NGOs, which underscored in a press release on Monday that “It is clear to all that the occupation state is persistent in building settlement units, expanding settlements, annexing lands and Judaizing Jerusalem despite its approval to resume the negotiations.”
The British Foreign Secretary William Hague has welcomed in a press release the resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, and the agreement to begin formal negotiations on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Speaking following US Secretary Kerry's press conference in Washington, the Foreign Secretary said:
"I warmly welcome the resumption of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Washington. I congratulate US Secretary of State John Kerry for his successful efforts which have led to today's agreement to begin formal negotiations in two weeks' time, with a view to resolving all final status issues. I also welcome the appointment of Martin Indyk as US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations."
He added, "The resumption of talks has been possible because of the courageous leadership already shown by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, as well as the commitment of negotiators on both sides. Determined leadership from the United States has also been critical and will remain so in the months to come."
"As President Obama and Secretary Kerry have set out, hard work and difficult choices lie ahead. We do not underestimate the challenges but firmly believe that if both parties continue to show bold leadership, peace is possible. It is also urgent: 2013 must be the decisive year for peace. Britain will do all it can to support the Israelis, Palestinians and the United States to achieve a two-state solution and the lasting peace that the people of the region deserve," concluded Hague.
Speaking following US Secretary Kerry's press conference in Washington, the Foreign Secretary said:
"I warmly welcome the resumption of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Washington. I congratulate US Secretary of State John Kerry for his successful efforts which have led to today's agreement to begin formal negotiations in two weeks' time, with a view to resolving all final status issues. I also welcome the appointment of Martin Indyk as US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations."
He added, "The resumption of talks has been possible because of the courageous leadership already shown by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, as well as the commitment of negotiators on both sides. Determined leadership from the United States has also been critical and will remain so in the months to come."
"As President Obama and Secretary Kerry have set out, hard work and difficult choices lie ahead. We do not underestimate the challenges but firmly believe that if both parties continue to show bold leadership, peace is possible. It is also urgent: 2013 must be the decisive year for peace. Britain will do all it can to support the Israelis, Palestinians and the United States to achieve a two-state solution and the lasting peace that the people of the region deserve," concluded Hague.
Dr. Salam Fayyad, Former Prime Minister of Palestine will receive the 2013 HCEF Path of Peace Award on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the HCEF Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the 15th International Conference, Friday and Saturday, October 18-19, 2013, Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) said in a press statement Wednesday.
The HCEF Path of Peace Award has been established to honor an individual who throughout his/her life has vigorously championed the cause of Peace in the Middle East.
HCEF also said that Fayyad's service and work as Prime Minister of Palestine has significantly advanced the Palestinian cause. His effort in strengthening and building the infrastructure of Palestine, especially during the many obstacles and challenges Palestine faced during his term as Prime Minister are outstanding!
Under his noble leadership, new strength was given to the financial and economic structure of Palestine, and by turning it around Fayyad gave a positive global representation of Palestine and of Palestinians, HCEF continued. Through advocating for peace, Fayyad has worked to build safety and security for all Palestinians, similar to HCEF's commitment, as we seek to 'replace despair with hope, fear with human security and humiliation with dignity.'
Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHS, HCEF President and CEO expressed his sentiments with these words, "Truly, Prime Minister Fayyad's contributions have changed the world's perspective of Palestine and boosted the spirit of all Palestinians by building the infrastructure of the future state under occupation!"
Prime Minister Fayyad's support of the HCEF Know Thy Heritage (KTH) Live & Visit Palestine Program has been inspiring. Through the KTH program, youth in Diaspora travelled to Palestine where they met with HE Fayyad and learned to be Ambassadors of Peace, by following in his footsteps. HCEF applauds and honors the tireless efforts of Minister Fayyad, a true visionary, in facilitating peace and building Palestine.
According to HCEF, the Path of Peace Award is conferred on Fayyad in recognition of his work, his dedication, and the remarkable contributions he has made in establishing a dialogue of peace and reconciliation through his visionary leadership and career.
This same evening, Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington will receive the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Award; Mr. Said Khoury, Co-Founder and Chairman, Consolidated Contractors Companywill receive the Palestinian Diaspora Award and the HCEF President Awardees are Mrs. Jamilah Aranky, HCEF Representative in Birzeitand Mrs. Mary Ann Flannery, HCEF Volunteer.
The Awards Banquet and the 15th International Conference will be held Friday, October 18 - Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Washington Marriott, 1221 22nd Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
The HCEF Path of Peace Award has been established to honor an individual who throughout his/her life has vigorously championed the cause of Peace in the Middle East.
HCEF also said that Fayyad's service and work as Prime Minister of Palestine has significantly advanced the Palestinian cause. His effort in strengthening and building the infrastructure of Palestine, especially during the many obstacles and challenges Palestine faced during his term as Prime Minister are outstanding!
Under his noble leadership, new strength was given to the financial and economic structure of Palestine, and by turning it around Fayyad gave a positive global representation of Palestine and of Palestinians, HCEF continued. Through advocating for peace, Fayyad has worked to build safety and security for all Palestinians, similar to HCEF's commitment, as we seek to 'replace despair with hope, fear with human security and humiliation with dignity.'
Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHS, HCEF President and CEO expressed his sentiments with these words, "Truly, Prime Minister Fayyad's contributions have changed the world's perspective of Palestine and boosted the spirit of all Palestinians by building the infrastructure of the future state under occupation!"
Prime Minister Fayyad's support of the HCEF Know Thy Heritage (KTH) Live & Visit Palestine Program has been inspiring. Through the KTH program, youth in Diaspora travelled to Palestine where they met with HE Fayyad and learned to be Ambassadors of Peace, by following in his footsteps. HCEF applauds and honors the tireless efforts of Minister Fayyad, a true visionary, in facilitating peace and building Palestine.
According to HCEF, the Path of Peace Award is conferred on Fayyad in recognition of his work, his dedication, and the remarkable contributions he has made in establishing a dialogue of peace and reconciliation through his visionary leadership and career.
This same evening, Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington will receive the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Award; Mr. Said Khoury, Co-Founder and Chairman, Consolidated Contractors Companywill receive the Palestinian Diaspora Award and the HCEF President Awardees are Mrs. Jamilah Aranky, HCEF Representative in Birzeitand Mrs. Mary Ann Flannery, HCEF Volunteer.
The Awards Banquet and the 15th International Conference will be held Friday, October 18 - Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the Washington Marriott, 1221 22nd Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037.
31 july 2013
Naftali Bennett talks to students at a pre-military religious school, north-east of Ashkelon on January 20, 2013
The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called on Israel to investigate remarks made by Israel's Economy and Trade Minister, which made claims about killing Palestinians.
Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home partner, commented to Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot following news of a Palestinian prisoner release that: "If you catch terrorists, you have to simply kill them."
"I've killed lots of Arabs in my life – and there's no problem with that," he went on to say.
The PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that based on these confessions, "the Israeli government has to open a transparent and legal investigation into these remarks and allow Palestinian rights advocates to follow the investigation."
The ministry urged Palestinian, Israeli and international rights organizations to take Bennet's remarks seriously and hold him accountable.
On Tuesday, the General Delegation of the PLO to the United States strongly condemned the "racist" remarks and called for international action.
"It is extremely alarming that a public Israeli official at the ministerial level calls for murder and utters explicitly racist remarks without being held accountable."
The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called on Israel to investigate remarks made by Israel's Economy and Trade Minister, which made claims about killing Palestinians.
Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home partner, commented to Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot following news of a Palestinian prisoner release that: "If you catch terrorists, you have to simply kill them."
"I've killed lots of Arabs in my life – and there's no problem with that," he went on to say.
The PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that based on these confessions, "the Israeli government has to open a transparent and legal investigation into these remarks and allow Palestinian rights advocates to follow the investigation."
The ministry urged Palestinian, Israeli and international rights organizations to take Bennet's remarks seriously and hold him accountable.
On Tuesday, the General Delegation of the PLO to the United States strongly condemned the "racist" remarks and called for international action.
"It is extremely alarming that a public Israeli official at the ministerial level calls for murder and utters explicitly racist remarks without being held accountable."
Naftali Bennett.
I can't wait for the liberal Zionists to wrap their arms around this one! Economy and trade minister Naftali Bennett, a key coalition partner in Netanyahu's government, drops the veil. David Sheen mentioned this in his post on racism yesterday. Here is the Jerusalem Post's report on the rightwing leader's comments during a Cabinet meeting about releasing Palestinian prisoners:
According to Yediot Aharonot, Bennett said, “If you catch terrorists, you simply have to kill them.”
National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror reportedly responded by saying that “this is not legal.”
Bennett then allegedly retorted, “I have killed lots of Arabs in my life – and there is no problem with that.”
Amnon Be’eri-Sulitzeanu, co-executive director of the Abraham Fund Initiatives, told The Jerusalem Post that it is unacceptable that Bennett generalizes that all Arabs are terrorists and that “in no country would they allow a minister to speak about its citizens using this kind of language.”
In any other country, such a minister would be dismissed, he said.
Furthermore, Be’eri- Sulitzeanu finds it problematic that nobody is complaining about this.
“He cannot talk like this about citizens of the state,” he said. “We are not at war with all Arabs, but with some of them.”
I can't wait for the liberal Zionists to wrap their arms around this one! Economy and trade minister Naftali Bennett, a key coalition partner in Netanyahu's government, drops the veil. David Sheen mentioned this in his post on racism yesterday. Here is the Jerusalem Post's report on the rightwing leader's comments during a Cabinet meeting about releasing Palestinian prisoners:
According to Yediot Aharonot, Bennett said, “If you catch terrorists, you simply have to kill them.”
National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror reportedly responded by saying that “this is not legal.”
Bennett then allegedly retorted, “I have killed lots of Arabs in my life – and there is no problem with that.”
Amnon Be’eri-Sulitzeanu, co-executive director of the Abraham Fund Initiatives, told The Jerusalem Post that it is unacceptable that Bennett generalizes that all Arabs are terrorists and that “in no country would they allow a minister to speak about its citizens using this kind of language.”
In any other country, such a minister would be dismissed, he said.
Furthermore, Be’eri- Sulitzeanu finds it problematic that nobody is complaining about this.
“He cannot talk like this about citizens of the state,” he said. “We are not at war with all Arabs, but with some of them.”
On the same day Secretary of State John Kerry spoke about renewed peace talks, an official said that Israel was likely to build more settlements.
Israel will likely build more settlements in the West Bank despite renewed peace talks, a State Department official said yesterday. The admission will add to the already ubiquitous skepticism about the renewed peace talks that kicked off earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
An unnamed White House official was joined by a State Department official for a background briefing for reporters yesterday to discuss details surrounding the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Here's the relevant passage (h/t Josh Ruebner):
QUESTION: Yes. My question is what happens when the Israelis decide to go on and expand settlements, as their behavior has indicated in the past over and over again? Are the Palestinians – have they given any commitment to stay in the talks, or should they walk out of the talks?
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Well, first I would reiterate the United States position on the settlements remains unchanged. We’ve made that very, very clear the parties all the way along. As we’ve said, we hope they will take steps to create a positive atmosphere for negotiations. But I think it’s also safe to say that whereas last time we did an extensive amount of work to create a settlement moratorium or a settlement freeze, we haven’t gone down that path now. And so I think it would be fair to say that you are likely to see Israeli settlement continue – activity continue, and we’ve made our position very clear on that to the Israelis.
The official's frank admission that Israel will continue to gobble up the West Bank while negotiating was aired the day before it was reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had struck a deal for more settlement building.
Maariv reports today that "Netanyahu has promised to advance construction of thousands of housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem." The move was made to "temper Jewish Home’s resistance to the release of over a hundred long-time Palestinian prisoners." The Jewish Home party had threatened to walk out of the Israeli coalition ruling the government, according to the report.
A spokesman for the Housing Minister, Jewish Home's Uri Ariel, denied the report. But Haaretz reported last week that Netanyahu told Secretary of State John Kerry that 1,000 building tenders for settlement units will be issued for the major settlement blocs during talks. The State Department now seems to have resigned themselves to that reality.
Many critics of the peace process paradigm have predicted continued Israeli settlement expansion during the renewed talks. "If Israelis and Palestinians are negotiating towards a peace agreement, that takes a lot of pressure off of Israel, and allows them to continue colonization," said Ruebner, the national advocacy director at the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, in a radio interview I conducted over the weekend.
Past periods of high-level peace talks have seen the continued expansion of settlements. When the Oslo peace process was in its hey-day, in the 1990s, Israeli settlement expansion increased. The number of settlers doubled from 1993-2001--when peace talks collapsed.
And in fact, Netanyahu admitted in 2001 that the peace process was no impediment to continued settlement expansion. In an exchange that was caught on camera, Netanyahu told settlers that while prime minister in the 1990s, he said he interpreted "the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the ’67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I’m concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone."
What's old is new again in peace process land.
Israel will likely build more settlements in the West Bank despite renewed peace talks, a State Department official said yesterday. The admission will add to the already ubiquitous skepticism about the renewed peace talks that kicked off earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
An unnamed White House official was joined by a State Department official for a background briefing for reporters yesterday to discuss details surrounding the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Here's the relevant passage (h/t Josh Ruebner):
QUESTION: Yes. My question is what happens when the Israelis decide to go on and expand settlements, as their behavior has indicated in the past over and over again? Are the Palestinians – have they given any commitment to stay in the talks, or should they walk out of the talks?
SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: Well, first I would reiterate the United States position on the settlements remains unchanged. We’ve made that very, very clear the parties all the way along. As we’ve said, we hope they will take steps to create a positive atmosphere for negotiations. But I think it’s also safe to say that whereas last time we did an extensive amount of work to create a settlement moratorium or a settlement freeze, we haven’t gone down that path now. And so I think it would be fair to say that you are likely to see Israeli settlement continue – activity continue, and we’ve made our position very clear on that to the Israelis.
The official's frank admission that Israel will continue to gobble up the West Bank while negotiating was aired the day before it was reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had struck a deal for more settlement building.
Maariv reports today that "Netanyahu has promised to advance construction of thousands of housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem." The move was made to "temper Jewish Home’s resistance to the release of over a hundred long-time Palestinian prisoners." The Jewish Home party had threatened to walk out of the Israeli coalition ruling the government, according to the report.
A spokesman for the Housing Minister, Jewish Home's Uri Ariel, denied the report. But Haaretz reported last week that Netanyahu told Secretary of State John Kerry that 1,000 building tenders for settlement units will be issued for the major settlement blocs during talks. The State Department now seems to have resigned themselves to that reality.
Many critics of the peace process paradigm have predicted continued Israeli settlement expansion during the renewed talks. "If Israelis and Palestinians are negotiating towards a peace agreement, that takes a lot of pressure off of Israel, and allows them to continue colonization," said Ruebner, the national advocacy director at the U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, in a radio interview I conducted over the weekend.
Past periods of high-level peace talks have seen the continued expansion of settlements. When the Oslo peace process was in its hey-day, in the 1990s, Israeli settlement expansion increased. The number of settlers doubled from 1993-2001--when peace talks collapsed.
And in fact, Netanyahu admitted in 2001 that the peace process was no impediment to continued settlement expansion. In an exchange that was caught on camera, Netanyahu told settlers that while prime minister in the 1990s, he said he interpreted "the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the ’67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I’m concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone."
What's old is new again in peace process land.
The Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage said that the Israeli government intends to build a settlement outpost and a synagogue to the northeast of the Aqsa Mosque. The Aqsa foundation stated on Tuesday that the Israeli plan includes the building of a Jewish neighborhood of 21 housing units and a synagogue within the walls of the old city of Jerusalem, specifically near Al-Sahera Gate in Burj Al-Laqlaq area.
It warned that Uri Ariel, the Israeli housing minister, is seeking to speed up this plan, which will contribute to the Judaization of Jerusalem, especially the vicinity of the Aqsa Mosque.
It warned that Uri Ariel, the Israeli housing minister, is seeking to speed up this plan, which will contribute to the Judaization of Jerusalem, especially the vicinity of the Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday said he was "hopeful" that peace talks with Palestinians will lead to a two-state solution and bring prosperity to the Middle East.
"As an Israeli I am now very hopeful because the peace process was renewed between the Palestinians and ourselves," he told reporters on a visit to Lithuania, which holds the rotating EU presidency.
Peres, who turns 90 on Friday, spoke after the start of talks in Washington on Monday and Tuesday put an end to a three-year hiatus.
He said the talks had "a clear purpose" to have "a Jewish state by the name of Israel and an Arab state by the name of Palestine not fighting each other but living together in friendship and cooperation".
"There is no alternative to peace, there is no sense to go to war," he said in the capital Vilnius.
"Terror doesn't have a message, terror cannot bake bread and cannot offer fresh air to breathe. It's costly, it's useless, it doesn't produce anything."
Through the meetings hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed to aim for a peace deal within nine months.
Peres said the deal would be crucial to improving living standards in the Middle East.
"The Middle East may change if terror and crisis and hunger and unemployment and oppression will make place for a new age of economics, social affairs," he said.
"We want to make peace not only with the Palestinians but with all the Arab countries."
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite for her part said the 28-member European Union welcomes the renewed peace talks and is ready to help.
"We really hope that these negotiations will have a positive result and a peaceful two-state solution will be reached," she said at a joint press conference.
"If the consensus is to be achieved, the EU is ready to support the post-conflict process and the implementations of peace agreements."
"As an Israeli I am now very hopeful because the peace process was renewed between the Palestinians and ourselves," he told reporters on a visit to Lithuania, which holds the rotating EU presidency.
Peres, who turns 90 on Friday, spoke after the start of talks in Washington on Monday and Tuesday put an end to a three-year hiatus.
He said the talks had "a clear purpose" to have "a Jewish state by the name of Israel and an Arab state by the name of Palestine not fighting each other but living together in friendship and cooperation".
"There is no alternative to peace, there is no sense to go to war," he said in the capital Vilnius.
"Terror doesn't have a message, terror cannot bake bread and cannot offer fresh air to breathe. It's costly, it's useless, it doesn't produce anything."
Through the meetings hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed to aim for a peace deal within nine months.
Peres said the deal would be crucial to improving living standards in the Middle East.
"The Middle East may change if terror and crisis and hunger and unemployment and oppression will make place for a new age of economics, social affairs," he said.
"We want to make peace not only with the Palestinians but with all the Arab countries."
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite for her part said the 28-member European Union welcomes the renewed peace talks and is ready to help.
"We really hope that these negotiations will have a positive result and a peaceful two-state solution will be reached," she said at a joint press conference.
"If the consensus is to be achieved, the EU is ready to support the post-conflict process and the implementations of peace agreements."
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators' stated goal of reaching a comprehensive peace deal inside nine months is realistic, the European Union's top diplomat said Wednesday, painting the bloc as a "reliable friend" to both sides.
"I firmly believe that a final end to this conflict is within reach," Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
"I call on all those who wish to see a negotiated solution to support those now engaged in talks so that the opportunity for peace can be seized."
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, who met in Washington this week for the first direct talks in three years, on Tuesday set an ambitious goal to reach an elusive peace deal within nine months.
"Both Israel and the Palestinians have a reliable friend and ally in the European Union," said Ashton.
"The resumption of talks opens new doors both for developing further the EU's contribution to peace and security in the region and for deepening our relations with both parties.
"We will remain fully engaged with both parties and will make every effort, together with our partners, to ensure that negotiations succeed," she added.
The last direct talks between the two parties collapsed in September 2010 amid continued illegal Israeli settlement building.
"I firmly believe that a final end to this conflict is within reach," Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
"I call on all those who wish to see a negotiated solution to support those now engaged in talks so that the opportunity for peace can be seized."
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, who met in Washington this week for the first direct talks in three years, on Tuesday set an ambitious goal to reach an elusive peace deal within nine months.
"Both Israel and the Palestinians have a reliable friend and ally in the European Union," said Ashton.
"The resumption of talks opens new doors both for developing further the EU's contribution to peace and security in the region and for deepening our relations with both parties.
"We will remain fully engaged with both parties and will make every effort, together with our partners, to ensure that negotiations succeed," she added.
The last direct talks between the two parties collapsed in September 2010 amid continued illegal Israeli settlement building.
A political analyst says imposing sanctions on the Israeli regime is the only way to achieve peace for Palestinians, Press TV reports.
Commenting on the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks, Pamela Olson, author of the Fast Time in Palestine from Oklahoma, told Press TV on Wednesday that the Tel Aviv regime “doesn’t seem to have any impetus to make any compromises whatsoever.”
The analyst went on to say that the only way which “has any real possibility of working is the boycott, the investment sanctions initiative that was requested by the Palestinians in 2005 and it has since grown considerably.”
“The most important thing that I've seen on that front so far was very recent. The European Union has begun to not cooperate with Israel on certain projects, if they have ties to the settlements,” she added.
Olson stated that the Israeli regime does not intend to cease its illegal settlement constructions in the occupied Palestinian lands, while Washington fails to put pressure on Tel Aviv over its settlement activities due to pressure from the Israeli lobby.
On July 29, representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Israeli regime started two days of US-brokered talks in Washington over the future of Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank, the status of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
Most Palestinian factions have condemned the decision by acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas to restart talks with the Israeli regime.
Olson further described as “partial” Washington’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
The Palestinian-Israeli talks were halted in September 2010 over disagreements on Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, East al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip and are demanding that Israel withdraw from the Palestinian territories occupied in the Six-Day War of 1967.
Commenting on the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks, Pamela Olson, author of the Fast Time in Palestine from Oklahoma, told Press TV on Wednesday that the Tel Aviv regime “doesn’t seem to have any impetus to make any compromises whatsoever.”
The analyst went on to say that the only way which “has any real possibility of working is the boycott, the investment sanctions initiative that was requested by the Palestinians in 2005 and it has since grown considerably.”
“The most important thing that I've seen on that front so far was very recent. The European Union has begun to not cooperate with Israel on certain projects, if they have ties to the settlements,” she added.
Olson stated that the Israeli regime does not intend to cease its illegal settlement constructions in the occupied Palestinian lands, while Washington fails to put pressure on Tel Aviv over its settlement activities due to pressure from the Israeli lobby.
On July 29, representatives of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Israeli regime started two days of US-brokered talks in Washington over the future of Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank, the status of al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
Most Palestinian factions have condemned the decision by acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas to restart talks with the Israeli regime.
Olson further described as “partial” Washington’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
The Palestinian-Israeli talks were halted in September 2010 over disagreements on Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians are seeking to create an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, East al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the Gaza Strip and are demanding that Israel withdraw from the Palestinian territories occupied in the Six-Day War of 1967.
Hamas movement lashed out at the PA in Ramallah for indulging anew in “futile” negotiations with the Israeli occupation. The movement said in a statement on Wednesday that Fatah should take heed of previous pointless negotiations and not to wager on those who “kill our people and Judaize our land and rob our wealth”.
A responsible source in Hamas expressed utter dismay at the PA for swiftly returning to negotiations in return for political illusions and economic profits at a time the Israeli occupation’s crimes did not stop against the Palestinian people, prisoners, land and holy shrines.
The source said that the Fatah-controlled PA should have rather implemented articles of the national reconciliation and not to decide single-handedly on fateful issues.
Hamas emphasized the importance of agreeing on a unified national consensus that would defend and preserve national rights and constants.
A responsible source in Hamas expressed utter dismay at the PA for swiftly returning to negotiations in return for political illusions and economic profits at a time the Israeli occupation’s crimes did not stop against the Palestinian people, prisoners, land and holy shrines.
The source said that the Fatah-controlled PA should have rather implemented articles of the national reconciliation and not to decide single-handedly on fateful issues.
Hamas emphasized the importance of agreeing on a unified national consensus that would defend and preserve national rights and constants.
MP Najat Abu Baker, affiliated with the Fatah movement, stated that ending the division and achieving the national construction is more important than negotiation option. MP Baker told Quds Press that the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations had never been stopped, pointing out that the PA came as a result of negotiations which were scheduled to lead to a state with full sovereignty, but Israel repudiated the agreement.
The MP for Fatah movement stated that the majority of Fatah members is in support of Abbas' decision to resume talks with the occupation especially after the Israeli vow to release a number of prisoners and the international parties' keenness to achieve the talks success for fear of prosecuting the occupation in the international courts.
It was better to resume talks after achieving the national unity, she said, pointing out that ending the division is more important than resuming talks and meetings with the occupation authorities.
The MP for Fatah movement stated that the majority of Fatah members is in support of Abbas' decision to resume talks with the occupation especially after the Israeli vow to release a number of prisoners and the international parties' keenness to achieve the talks success for fear of prosecuting the occupation in the international courts.
It was better to resume talks after achieving the national unity, she said, pointing out that ending the division is more important than resuming talks and meetings with the occupation authorities.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has declared its total rejection of the PA decision to resume negotiations saying that its decision does not represent the will of the Palestinian people. Member of the PFLP political bureau, Abu Ahmed Fouad, said in a press statement Tuesday that "no one has the right to impose his own decisions on the state institutions which represent the Palestinian people.
He called on the PA to draw lessons from its previous failed experiences of peace talks and to form a new national strategy different from Oslo accords.
He condemned the PA forces' attack on Sunday protest, stressing on the Palestinian factions' right to organize popular activities to prevent the PA's unilateral decision to offer serious concessions to the Israelis.
Meanwhile, a leader in Jihad movement, Haj Abu Samer Mosa renewed his movement rejection of the resumption of talks , saying that this step contradicts the national consensus.
The PA will achieve nothing from resuming talks, but will only deepen the national division, he said, stressing that it was better for the PA to achieve the reconciliation agreement instead of running behind the Israeli and American illusion.
He pointed out that the PA step to resume negotiation came amid Israeli decision to implement the Prawer plan that constitutes a new Palestinian catastrophe.
Meanwhile, dozens have participated Tuesday in a protest against peace negotiations in Nablus, where they chanted slogans against the "absurd negotiations" that do not meet with the PLO preconditions for the resumption of talks.
A leader in PFLP said that talks resumption came in light the American pressures on the Palestinian people, stressing that Abbas took a unilateral decision despite the Palestinian factional rejection.
He called on the PA to draw lessons from its previous failed experiences of peace talks and to form a new national strategy different from Oslo accords.
He condemned the PA forces' attack on Sunday protest, stressing on the Palestinian factions' right to organize popular activities to prevent the PA's unilateral decision to offer serious concessions to the Israelis.
Meanwhile, a leader in Jihad movement, Haj Abu Samer Mosa renewed his movement rejection of the resumption of talks , saying that this step contradicts the national consensus.
The PA will achieve nothing from resuming talks, but will only deepen the national division, he said, stressing that it was better for the PA to achieve the reconciliation agreement instead of running behind the Israeli and American illusion.
He pointed out that the PA step to resume negotiation came amid Israeli decision to implement the Prawer plan that constitutes a new Palestinian catastrophe.
Meanwhile, dozens have participated Tuesday in a protest against peace negotiations in Nablus, where they chanted slogans against the "absurd negotiations" that do not meet with the PLO preconditions for the resumption of talks.
A leader in PFLP said that talks resumption came in light the American pressures on the Palestinian people, stressing that Abbas took a unilateral decision despite the Palestinian factional rejection.
The Palestinian government in Gaza said the Palestinian authority (PA) reproduced another chapter of its failures when it decided to resume its US-sponsored negotiations with the Israeli occupation regime. In a press release issued following its cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government stated that the PA's negotiations with the Israeli regime adversely affected the Palestinian cause and whetted the Israeli appetite for more aggressive actions and settlement expansion activities.
It expressed its belief that the USA eventually succeeded in dragging the PA into the quarter of regression and concessions and having it sit at the negotiating table in exchange for some trivial privileges unrelated to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The government also strongly denounced the Fatah faction and its security agencies for being involved in smear campaigns against the Palestinian people and Hamas, and using the Egyptian media to spread fabricated news and stories against them.
It stressed that such acts reflect that Fatah and its institutions have no moral standards or national affiliation, and insist on playing a dubious role in standing against the interests of the Palestinian people.
It expressed its belief that the USA eventually succeeded in dragging the PA into the quarter of regression and concessions and having it sit at the negotiating table in exchange for some trivial privileges unrelated to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The government also strongly denounced the Fatah faction and its security agencies for being involved in smear campaigns against the Palestinian people and Hamas, and using the Egyptian media to spread fabricated news and stories against them.
It stressed that such acts reflect that Fatah and its institutions have no moral standards or national affiliation, and insist on playing a dubious role in standing against the interests of the Palestinian people.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday, that the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks will mainly focus on two issues: Security and Borders.
He also said that after finishing discussions on these two files, other files will be put on the negotiation table.
The seriousness of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are the US's guarantees given to the Palestinian side to ensure the success of the negotiations, Abbas told Okaz Saudi newspaper.
He added that the United States is very serious in reaching a settlement.
He also said that after finishing discussions on these two files, other files will be put on the negotiation table.
The seriousness of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are the US's guarantees given to the Palestinian side to ensure the success of the negotiations, Abbas told Okaz Saudi newspaper.
He added that the United States is very serious in reaching a settlement.
Livni: Peace talks not entered thinking of new Middle East
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told Ynet that "We're not entering this process out of euphoria or thinking that there will be a new Middle East."
Livni refused to say whether the US gave warranties to the sides, meant to ensure the talks continuation. "The process creates a partnership which is very important to us to handle the main threats. There's a chance to form an alliance against the extremists. The aim is to reach an agreement, not only to hold negotiations," she said.
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told Ynet that "We're not entering this process out of euphoria or thinking that there will be a new Middle East."
Livni refused to say whether the US gave warranties to the sides, meant to ensure the talks continuation. "The process creates a partnership which is very important to us to handle the main threats. There's a chance to form an alliance against the extremists. The aim is to reach an agreement, not only to hold negotiations," she said.
In Washington on Wednesday negotiations between Palestinian and Israeli officials continued.
The meeting commenced as US Secretary of State John Kerry stated, “As all of you know, it has taken an awful lot of work and a long time, a lot of time, to reach this new moment of possibility in the pursuit of an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s taken the leadership of President Obama, who set this process in motion with his historic visit to the region this spring. And then he spoke powerfully about the necessity and possibility of peace, not only to the leaders but also to citizens who overwhelmingly hope for a better future for their children and for their countries, for their peoples.
Addressing the negotiations’ progress Kerry said, “I’m pleased to report that in the conversations we’ve had last night and again today, we’ve had constructive and positive meetings. The parties have agreed to remain engaged in sustained, continuous, and substantive negotiations on the core issues, and they will meet within the next two weeks in either Israel or the Palestinian Territories in order to begin the process of formal negotiation.
Kerry continued, setting out the goal of the negotiations and noting the importance confidentiality throughout the process. “The parties have agreed here today that all of the final status issues, all of the core issues, and all other issues are all on the table for negotiation. And they are on the table with one simple goal: a view to ending the conflict, ending the claims. Our objective will be to achieve a final status agreement over the course of the next nine months. The parties also agreed that the two sides will keep the content of the negotiations confidential. The only announcement you will hear about meetings is the one that I just made. And I will be the only one, by agreement, authorized to comment publicly on the talks, in consultation, obviously, with the parties. That means that no one should consider any reports, articles, or other – or even rumors – reliable, unless they come directly from me, and I guarantee you they won’t.
Kerry concluded, “we all need to be strong in our belief in the possibility of peace, courageous enough to follow through on our faith in it, and audacious enough to achieve what these two peoples have so long aspired to and deserve.”
Next to speak was Mr. Erekat, representing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Minister Livni. On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to President Barack Obama and to you, Secretary Kerry, for your relentless efforts and unwavering commitment to achieve a just, comprehensive, lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinians have suffered enough, and no one benefits more from the success of this endeavor more than Palestinians. I am delighted that all final status issues are on the table and will be resolved without any exceptions, and it’s time for the Palestinian people to have an independent, sovereign state of their own. It’s time for the Palestinian people to have an independent, sovereign state of their own. It’s time for the Palestinians to live in peace, freedom, and dignity within their own independent, sovereign state.”
Finally Israeli Justice Minister Livni spoke, “ Thank you, Secretary Kerry, on behalf of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli Government, and the state of Israel for your determination, for not giving up, because you need to know that I think it was our first meeting during this process that you said to me that failure is not an option. And you proved today that failure is not an option. And this is the man, Secretary Kerry, who showed everyone that nothing can stop true believers. And thank you for that.”
The meeting commenced as US Secretary of State John Kerry stated, “As all of you know, it has taken an awful lot of work and a long time, a lot of time, to reach this new moment of possibility in the pursuit of an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s taken the leadership of President Obama, who set this process in motion with his historic visit to the region this spring. And then he spoke powerfully about the necessity and possibility of peace, not only to the leaders but also to citizens who overwhelmingly hope for a better future for their children and for their countries, for their peoples.
Addressing the negotiations’ progress Kerry said, “I’m pleased to report that in the conversations we’ve had last night and again today, we’ve had constructive and positive meetings. The parties have agreed to remain engaged in sustained, continuous, and substantive negotiations on the core issues, and they will meet within the next two weeks in either Israel or the Palestinian Territories in order to begin the process of formal negotiation.
Kerry continued, setting out the goal of the negotiations and noting the importance confidentiality throughout the process. “The parties have agreed here today that all of the final status issues, all of the core issues, and all other issues are all on the table for negotiation. And they are on the table with one simple goal: a view to ending the conflict, ending the claims. Our objective will be to achieve a final status agreement over the course of the next nine months. The parties also agreed that the two sides will keep the content of the negotiations confidential. The only announcement you will hear about meetings is the one that I just made. And I will be the only one, by agreement, authorized to comment publicly on the talks, in consultation, obviously, with the parties. That means that no one should consider any reports, articles, or other – or even rumors – reliable, unless they come directly from me, and I guarantee you they won’t.
Kerry concluded, “we all need to be strong in our belief in the possibility of peace, courageous enough to follow through on our faith in it, and audacious enough to achieve what these two peoples have so long aspired to and deserve.”
Next to speak was Mr. Erekat, representing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Minister Livni. On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to President Barack Obama and to you, Secretary Kerry, for your relentless efforts and unwavering commitment to achieve a just, comprehensive, lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinians have suffered enough, and no one benefits more from the success of this endeavor more than Palestinians. I am delighted that all final status issues are on the table and will be resolved without any exceptions, and it’s time for the Palestinian people to have an independent, sovereign state of their own. It’s time for the Palestinian people to have an independent, sovereign state of their own. It’s time for the Palestinians to live in peace, freedom, and dignity within their own independent, sovereign state.”
Finally Israeli Justice Minister Livni spoke, “ Thank you, Secretary Kerry, on behalf of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli Government, and the state of Israel for your determination, for not giving up, because you need to know that I think it was our first meeting during this process that you said to me that failure is not an option. And you proved today that failure is not an option. And this is the man, Secretary Kerry, who showed everyone that nothing can stop true believers. And thank you for that.”
On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held a press conference in which he laid out his timeline for final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, calling for a final agreement within nine months. This is not the first time such an announcement has been made by a U.S. official – in fact, every U.S. President since Jimmy Carter has made similar proclamations.
Palestinians across the political spectrum are cynical and pessimistic about the upcoming peace talks, as they say every past negotiation and agreement has resulted in the Palestinian people losing more land, more political power and more rights. Protests were held on Friday challenging the decision of the Fateh party to return to the negotiating table on behalf of the Palestinian people. Many protesters point out that the current Palestinian Authority lacks legitimacy, since the terms of the officials currently in office ran out three years ago, but no new elections have been held.
U.S. government officials with the Obama administration told reporters on Tuesday that while the negotiations are in progress, the Palestinian Authority is expected to cease its effort to achieve a statehood recognition at the United Nations, and to not bring charges against Israeli officials before the International Criminal Court.
In his statement, Kerry challenged what he called 'pernicious attacks on Israel's legitimacy', and said that such attacks must halt during the negotiations. But he did not specifically address what those attacks were, and who is supposed to have made them.
The talks will take place in Washington, and no pre-conditions have been publicly stated. Previously, the Palestinian President (currently unelected) Mahmoud Abbas had said that he would only return to negotiations with the Israeli government if Israel recognized the 1967 border with Palestine or froze new settlement construction, and agreed to release all of the Palestinian prisoners abducted since the Oslo Accord went into effect in 1993.
Israeli officials have made no such recognition, and have stated that they might release up to 100 of the over 4,000 Palestinians currently imprisoned inside Israel. No Israelis are being held by Palestinians in prisons.
Following Kerry's announcement, Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced a bill supporting Kerry's effort, stating that the two-state solution is the only way to “ensure the State of Israel's survival as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people”. Currently the bill is supported by only Democratic Senators, with no Republicans signing on. Neither Kerry nor Feinstein have addressed the question of how the two-state solution is possible, given the 'facts on the ground' of over 500,000 Israeli settlers who have established colonies on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Though Kerry says the question of settlements will be addressed in negotiations, many Palestinians have questioned this decision, saying that a settlement freeze must be put into effect before the negotiations begin.
Palestinian political analyst Mazin Qumsiyeh wrote today, in a challenge to the Palestinian Authority's selection of Saeb Erekat to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people, “This is the same Erekat who has been fruitlessly 'negotiating' for 20 years along the same lines (hence his book titled “Life is negotiations”). It is the same person who the Palestine Papers leaked to AlJazeera was shown giving one after another concession while the Israeli side yawned and asked for more.”
Palestinians across the political spectrum are cynical and pessimistic about the upcoming peace talks, as they say every past negotiation and agreement has resulted in the Palestinian people losing more land, more political power and more rights. Protests were held on Friday challenging the decision of the Fateh party to return to the negotiating table on behalf of the Palestinian people. Many protesters point out that the current Palestinian Authority lacks legitimacy, since the terms of the officials currently in office ran out three years ago, but no new elections have been held.
U.S. government officials with the Obama administration told reporters on Tuesday that while the negotiations are in progress, the Palestinian Authority is expected to cease its effort to achieve a statehood recognition at the United Nations, and to not bring charges against Israeli officials before the International Criminal Court.
In his statement, Kerry challenged what he called 'pernicious attacks on Israel's legitimacy', and said that such attacks must halt during the negotiations. But he did not specifically address what those attacks were, and who is supposed to have made them.
The talks will take place in Washington, and no pre-conditions have been publicly stated. Previously, the Palestinian President (currently unelected) Mahmoud Abbas had said that he would only return to negotiations with the Israeli government if Israel recognized the 1967 border with Palestine or froze new settlement construction, and agreed to release all of the Palestinian prisoners abducted since the Oslo Accord went into effect in 1993.
Israeli officials have made no such recognition, and have stated that they might release up to 100 of the over 4,000 Palestinians currently imprisoned inside Israel. No Israelis are being held by Palestinians in prisons.
Following Kerry's announcement, Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced a bill supporting Kerry's effort, stating that the two-state solution is the only way to “ensure the State of Israel's survival as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people”. Currently the bill is supported by only Democratic Senators, with no Republicans signing on. Neither Kerry nor Feinstein have addressed the question of how the two-state solution is possible, given the 'facts on the ground' of over 500,000 Israeli settlers who have established colonies on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Though Kerry says the question of settlements will be addressed in negotiations, many Palestinians have questioned this decision, saying that a settlement freeze must be put into effect before the negotiations begin.
Palestinian political analyst Mazin Qumsiyeh wrote today, in a challenge to the Palestinian Authority's selection of Saeb Erekat to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people, “This is the same Erekat who has been fruitlessly 'negotiating' for 20 years along the same lines (hence his book titled “Life is negotiations”). It is the same person who the Palestine Papers leaked to AlJazeera was shown giving one after another concession while the Israeli side yawned and asked for more.”