31 may 2013
Below is a new Fact Sheet issued by the Palestine Liberation Organization Negotiations Affairs Department entitled "Six Questions for Resuming Negotiations":
A new international effort, led by the US, is taking place in order to resume final status negotiations. The Palestinian leadership has no doubt that Secretary Kerry's intentions are genuine and have openly supported his efforts in this endeavor. Whether this new effort is able to produce a tangible plan, there are a series of questions which will need to be asked in order to ascertain whether real and meaningful negotiations can resume, with the eventual goal of two sovereign and democratic states on the 1967 border, living side by side in peace and security.
1. Does Secretary Kerry's proposal allow for progress on the political track towards a just and lasting peace?
There has been discussion of economic proposals in order to improve the Palestinian economy. While economic development is always positive, the basic fact remains that any economic development will be stifled by, and will not end, the occupation. In fact, Secretary Kerry himself has repeatedly stated that the economic track cannot be made a substitute for the political track. Therefore, if Israel is only prepared to ease the occupation slightly, without offering anything that will lead to the end of its 46 year-old occupation, then this will not be sufficient to open a political horizon.
2. Has Israel shown any interest in the two-state solution?
An Israeli commitment to the two-state solution in line with the vision of Palestine and the rest of the international community would be a positive step. Unfortunately, recent statements made by prominent members of the Israeli government prove that there is a clear rift within the Israeli government on the issue of the peace process with Palestine. Many main figures of the ruling Israeli coalition are publicly opposing the two-state solution. At the same time, continued actions on the ground, many of which fall under the banner of Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, demonstrate a clear intention to destroy the possibility of two states living side by side.
Meanwhile, it has become clear that peace with Palestine is not a priority in Israeli politics; ending the occupation failed to feature in any of the main party platforms ahead of the January 2013 elections. Many commentators and decision makers are pointing to an overall apathy among the Israeli public and the feeling that the conflict can be managed rather than resolved. Such attitudes are dangerous and detrimental to any prospect for peace.
In contrast, Palestine has fully supported the internationally-endorsed two-state solution since 1988, in line with UN Security Council Resolutions and the international consensus, as well as fulfilling its bilateral and international obligations under the Road Map (UNSC 1515).
3. Is Israel willing to fulfill its prior obligations from previous agreements?
So far, Israel has failed to fulfill the vast majority of its obligations under previous agreements. Resumption of negotiations "without preconditions" is an oft-used Israeli line designed to portray a positive approach, that is to say a supposed willingness to resume negotiations. In reality, calling for a process with no meaning or sincere intention to reach peace merely acts as a useful smokescreen behind which Israel can continue its project of colonization within the occupied State of Palestine, in gross violation of international law and previous agreements.
4. Has Mr. Netanyahu provided a map of what a two-state solution could look like?
If Mr. Netanyahu were to produce a map, then this would show seriousness from his side, as it would demonstrate Israel's commitment to the two-state solution and would provide a basis for meaningful negotiations. The PLO has provided a detailed map and clear negotiating positions based on UN resolutions and international law.
5. Is Israel willing to cease ALL of its settlement activities?
If Israel were willing to cease all of its settlement activities, then this would show sincere intention to reach a negotiated solution. The cessation of settlement activity is not a Palestinian precondition, but an imperative based on prior obligations and international law, under which transfer of one's own civilian population into an occupied territory constitutes a war crime. It is, moreover, a simple logical truth that sincere negotiations cannot take place when one party is continuously prejudicing the outcome of those negotiations by colonizing the other party's land. This truth is well known- the international community, including the US, has a very firm position on the illegality of settlements and the requirement for Israel to end its deeply damaging settlement enterprise. Unfortunately, when the resumption of negotiations is the topic of discussion, this fact is often forgotten.
6. What are the Palestinians offering from their side?
The Palestinians have made numerous concessions and good will gestures. Although the two-state solution is common discourse today, it must be remembered that this solution is based on the Palestinian historic compromise of 1988, whereby the PLO accepted a state on a mere 22% of historical Palestine, for the sake of peace. During the past twenty-plus years of peace process, the Palestinians have entered all negotiations in good faith and have acted in accordance with agreements made. Palestine has also joined other countries in the region in establishing the Arab Peace Initiative, which extends the offer of normalized relations for Israel with 57 Arab and Islamic countries following Israel's full withdrawal from all the territories occupied since 1967, and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with UNGA Resolution 194.3
A new international effort, led by the US, is taking place in order to resume final status negotiations. The Palestinian leadership has no doubt that Secretary Kerry's intentions are genuine and have openly supported his efforts in this endeavor. Whether this new effort is able to produce a tangible plan, there are a series of questions which will need to be asked in order to ascertain whether real and meaningful negotiations can resume, with the eventual goal of two sovereign and democratic states on the 1967 border, living side by side in peace and security.
1. Does Secretary Kerry's proposal allow for progress on the political track towards a just and lasting peace?
There has been discussion of economic proposals in order to improve the Palestinian economy. While economic development is always positive, the basic fact remains that any economic development will be stifled by, and will not end, the occupation. In fact, Secretary Kerry himself has repeatedly stated that the economic track cannot be made a substitute for the political track. Therefore, if Israel is only prepared to ease the occupation slightly, without offering anything that will lead to the end of its 46 year-old occupation, then this will not be sufficient to open a political horizon.
2. Has Israel shown any interest in the two-state solution?
An Israeli commitment to the two-state solution in line with the vision of Palestine and the rest of the international community would be a positive step. Unfortunately, recent statements made by prominent members of the Israeli government prove that there is a clear rift within the Israeli government on the issue of the peace process with Palestine. Many main figures of the ruling Israeli coalition are publicly opposing the two-state solution. At the same time, continued actions on the ground, many of which fall under the banner of Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, demonstrate a clear intention to destroy the possibility of two states living side by side.
Meanwhile, it has become clear that peace with Palestine is not a priority in Israeli politics; ending the occupation failed to feature in any of the main party platforms ahead of the January 2013 elections. Many commentators and decision makers are pointing to an overall apathy among the Israeli public and the feeling that the conflict can be managed rather than resolved. Such attitudes are dangerous and detrimental to any prospect for peace.
In contrast, Palestine has fully supported the internationally-endorsed two-state solution since 1988, in line with UN Security Council Resolutions and the international consensus, as well as fulfilling its bilateral and international obligations under the Road Map (UNSC 1515).
3. Is Israel willing to fulfill its prior obligations from previous agreements?
So far, Israel has failed to fulfill the vast majority of its obligations under previous agreements. Resumption of negotiations "without preconditions" is an oft-used Israeli line designed to portray a positive approach, that is to say a supposed willingness to resume negotiations. In reality, calling for a process with no meaning or sincere intention to reach peace merely acts as a useful smokescreen behind which Israel can continue its project of colonization within the occupied State of Palestine, in gross violation of international law and previous agreements.
4. Has Mr. Netanyahu provided a map of what a two-state solution could look like?
If Mr. Netanyahu were to produce a map, then this would show seriousness from his side, as it would demonstrate Israel's commitment to the two-state solution and would provide a basis for meaningful negotiations. The PLO has provided a detailed map and clear negotiating positions based on UN resolutions and international law.
5. Is Israel willing to cease ALL of its settlement activities?
If Israel were willing to cease all of its settlement activities, then this would show sincere intention to reach a negotiated solution. The cessation of settlement activity is not a Palestinian precondition, but an imperative based on prior obligations and international law, under which transfer of one's own civilian population into an occupied territory constitutes a war crime. It is, moreover, a simple logical truth that sincere negotiations cannot take place when one party is continuously prejudicing the outcome of those negotiations by colonizing the other party's land. This truth is well known- the international community, including the US, has a very firm position on the illegality of settlements and the requirement for Israel to end its deeply damaging settlement enterprise. Unfortunately, when the resumption of negotiations is the topic of discussion, this fact is often forgotten.
6. What are the Palestinians offering from their side?
The Palestinians have made numerous concessions and good will gestures. Although the two-state solution is common discourse today, it must be remembered that this solution is based on the Palestinian historic compromise of 1988, whereby the PLO accepted a state on a mere 22% of historical Palestine, for the sake of peace. During the past twenty-plus years of peace process, the Palestinians have entered all negotiations in good faith and have acted in accordance with agreements made. Palestine has also joined other countries in the region in establishing the Arab Peace Initiative, which extends the offer of normalized relations for Israel with 57 Arab and Islamic countries following Israel's full withdrawal from all the territories occupied since 1967, and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with UNGA Resolution 194.3
The Al-Quds Newspaper has reported that U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, is working on holding a meeting next week between senior Israeli and Palestinian officials, in an attempt to resume the stalled political process.
The paper said that Kerry has been conducting “extensive efforts”, especially over the last two weeks, in an attempt to arrange a “summit that aims at restarting direct peace negotiations without preconditions”.
It quoted an anonymous U.S. source stating that the summit would bring together U.S. President, Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. However, the efforts to restart talks yielded no positive outcome.
The source said that “both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are placing preconditions, an issue that is hindering the prospects of resuming the direct talks”.
Kerry then decided to arrange a meeting that would be held in the second week of July, bringing together chief Palestinian negotiator, Dr. Saeb Erekat, with Israeli Justice Minister and chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, along with Catherine Ashton of the European Union, in addition to Jeffrey D. Feltman, the Under-Secretary for Public Affairs at the United Nations.
U.S Middle East Envoy, David Hale, is trying to arrange the meeting, or even a series of meetings, in direct cooperation with Kerry and his senior Middle East Advisor, Frank Lowenstein.
The U.S. source told the paper that Kerry has not given up on the possibility of restarting peace talk without preconditions.
The source said that Washington is actively acting on holding a peace summit in Washington before the end of June “despite the fact that the U.S. is busy with the Syrian crisis, and the arrangements for the Second Geneva Conference”, according to the source.
On her part, Jennifer Psaki, a State Department spokesperson, did not confirm or deny preparations for this meeting, but stated that “Kerry clearly stated the time has come to move forwards.”
“Kerry was clear in his statement on Friday (May 24) and Sunday (May 26)”, she said, “He stated that the two parties (Israel and the Palestinians) must make difficult decisions, he knows the challenges both sides face”.
Psaki also stated that Kerry is conducting serious efforts, and added that the official believes peace is possible, “but we are in a crucial and critical stage that requires the right and difficult choices”.
As for the most recent Israeli decision to build more than 1000 units in Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem, a decision that was made after Kerry visited the region, Psaki said that the U.S. strongly believes that settlement activities do not help in creating a positive atmosphere for resuming peace talks.
“We have repeatedly warned the two sides about the consequences of unilateral moves”, she added.
Psaki was referring to the recent Israeli approval of the construction of 300 units in Ramot settlement, and 797 units in Gilo settlement.
Israeli Housing Minister, Uri Ariel, approved construction bids in the two settlements. Ariel is also a settler, a hardliner of the Jewish Home party, and the former head of the Yesha Council of Settlements.
The paper said that Kerry has been conducting “extensive efforts”, especially over the last two weeks, in an attempt to arrange a “summit that aims at restarting direct peace negotiations without preconditions”.
It quoted an anonymous U.S. source stating that the summit would bring together U.S. President, Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. However, the efforts to restart talks yielded no positive outcome.
The source said that “both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are placing preconditions, an issue that is hindering the prospects of resuming the direct talks”.
Kerry then decided to arrange a meeting that would be held in the second week of July, bringing together chief Palestinian negotiator, Dr. Saeb Erekat, with Israeli Justice Minister and chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, along with Catherine Ashton of the European Union, in addition to Jeffrey D. Feltman, the Under-Secretary for Public Affairs at the United Nations.
U.S Middle East Envoy, David Hale, is trying to arrange the meeting, or even a series of meetings, in direct cooperation with Kerry and his senior Middle East Advisor, Frank Lowenstein.
The U.S. source told the paper that Kerry has not given up on the possibility of restarting peace talk without preconditions.
The source said that Washington is actively acting on holding a peace summit in Washington before the end of June “despite the fact that the U.S. is busy with the Syrian crisis, and the arrangements for the Second Geneva Conference”, according to the source.
On her part, Jennifer Psaki, a State Department spokesperson, did not confirm or deny preparations for this meeting, but stated that “Kerry clearly stated the time has come to move forwards.”
“Kerry was clear in his statement on Friday (May 24) and Sunday (May 26)”, she said, “He stated that the two parties (Israel and the Palestinians) must make difficult decisions, he knows the challenges both sides face”.
Psaki also stated that Kerry is conducting serious efforts, and added that the official believes peace is possible, “but we are in a crucial and critical stage that requires the right and difficult choices”.
As for the most recent Israeli decision to build more than 1000 units in Israeli settlements in occupied Jerusalem, a decision that was made after Kerry visited the region, Psaki said that the U.S. strongly believes that settlement activities do not help in creating a positive atmosphere for resuming peace talks.
“We have repeatedly warned the two sides about the consequences of unilateral moves”, she added.
Psaki was referring to the recent Israeli approval of the construction of 300 units in Ramot settlement, and 797 units in Gilo settlement.
Israeli Housing Minister, Uri Ariel, approved construction bids in the two settlements. Ariel is also a settler, a hardliner of the Jewish Home party, and the former head of the Yesha Council of Settlements.
30 may 2013
Israeli officials criticized the statements of the, chief PLO negotiator, Saeb Erekat, in which he condemned the Israeli settlement policies. Israeli officials accused Palestinians of creating false pretexts to run away from negotiations and the peace process.
They added, "Even in this case, the Palestinians are seeking pretexts to avoid a resumption of direct talks."
The officials claimed that the construction plans were not new, that they were planned and announced eight months ago and that they were awaiting the completion of certain legal procedures before beginning construction.
It's worth mentioning that Erekat confirmed earlier today that Israel's decision to build more than 1,000 new settler homes in east Jerusalem is "destroying" efforts by Washington's top diplomat to revive the peace process.
They added, "Even in this case, the Palestinians are seeking pretexts to avoid a resumption of direct talks."
The officials claimed that the construction plans were not new, that they were planned and announced eight months ago and that they were awaiting the completion of certain legal procedures before beginning construction.
It's worth mentioning that Erekat confirmed earlier today that Israel's decision to build more than 1,000 new settler homes in east Jerusalem is "destroying" efforts by Washington's top diplomat to revive the peace process.
27 may 2013
PA chief Mahmoud Abbas conferred with Israeli president Shimon Peres on the periphery of the international economic forum held in the Dead Sea resort in Jordan. PA sources said that the Abbas-Peres exchanges on Sunday evening tackled latest developments and means of reactivating the peace process.
Abbas earlier told a seminar on “Breaking the Stalemate” organized on the sidelines of the conference that he does not approve the capture of Israeli soldiers to trade them for Palestinian prisoners.
He said that Palestinian security forces found 96 Israeli soldiers, who lost their way in Palestinian villages, last year and returned them safely to their families.
Meanwhile, a number of Jordanian and Arab reporters withdrew from the conference after 20 Israeli journalists arrived to attend a speech for Peres.
Jordanian parties and syndicates denounced the participation of “criminal” Peres in the conference on Jordanian soil, adding that his participation was in disrespect of the blood of martyrs, who fell at the hands of Israel, and in disregard of the Jordanian prisoners, who are on hunger strike in Israeli jails asking for their rights.
Gaza government warns of Abbas's decision to renew negotiations
Gaza government warned of Abbas's individual decision to renew talks with the occupation and to sign one-sided agreement as what happened with Oslo agreement 20 years ago. There are American pressures on both Israeli and Palestinian sides to re-start negotiations in attempt to impose agreements, Dr. Yousef Rizqa, Haniyeh's political advisor, said.
The Palestinian people, the PLO Executive Committee, the National Council and Palestinian factions know nothing about the ongoing meetings, he added.
He warned of Abbas's individual decision to sign agreements with the occupation at the expense of the Palestinian reconciliation. The Palestinian people have to be aware of everything that has happened and everything that will happen, Rizqa stressed.
For its part, al-Ahrar Palestinian movement considered the ongoing meetings between Abbas and Kerry as absurd meetings, warning of their serious impact on the Palestinian cause.
The national reconciliation and negotiations are two options that can never go together, the movement's spokesman said, stressing that Abbas is manipulating in dealing with the reconciliation file.
The spokesman said that Abbas's statements, during Davos Conference that 96 Israeli soldiers who had mistakenly entered the PA controlled areas during 2012, have been handed to the Israeli authorities, came in total disregard to the Palestinian people's sacrifices.
He condemned the PA policy of security coordination with the Israeli occupation that reflects its weakness and its dependence on the US administration
During his speech to the World Economic Forum in Jordan Abbas revealed that PA security services returned 96 Israeli soldiers who had mistakenly entered the PA controlled areas, to the Israeli authorities in 2012.
"Kidnapping soldiers is not in our nature, we do not use these methods, and we want to live with neighbors with mutual respect. Any Israeli that comes onto Palestinian ground will be welcomed and returned safely to his home," he said.
In October 2011, 1027 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli jails in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured in Gaza at 2006.
Barhoum: Kerry's economic plan, a new attempt to deceive public opinion
Hamas movement has considered Kerry's new economic plan to activate the Palestinian situation in West Bank as a new attempt to deceive the public opinion. Fawzi Barhoum, the movement's spokesman, warned of the serious impact of Kerry's plan, saying that US previous projects were only attempts to provide more time to implement the Israeli Judaization and racist schemes.
The spokesman for the movement said that the repeated meetings between Kerry and Abbas raise doubts about the future of the Palestinian reconciliation, rights and resistance.
PA is subjected to US pressures to renew negotiation with the occupation that will affect seriously the Palestinian unity and reconciliation, he added.
He stressed that all the Palestinian segments have always rejected any attempt to restart talks with the occupier.
Haniyeh: Cooperation with occupation in not part of the Palestinian culture
The Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh expressed his surprise towards Abbas's recent statements in favor of security coordination with the occupier, saying that it is not part of the Palestinian culture. The Palestinian resistance, which has captured the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, is committed to the release of all Palestinian prisoners, he said on Monday.
Haniyeh criticized PA concessions during its repeated meeting with US secretary of state John Kerry, stressing that many enticements and money were offered to his government, but they were refused because "Palestine is not for sale."
During his speech to the World Economic Forum in Jordan Abbas revealed that PA security services returned 96 Israeli soldiers who had mistakenly entered the PA-controlled areas, to the Israeli authorities in 2012.
"Kidnapping soldiers is not in our nature, we do not use these methods, and we want to live with neighbors in mutual respect. Any Israeli that comes onto Palestinian ground will be welcomed and returned safely to his home," he said.
Abbas earlier told a seminar on “Breaking the Stalemate” organized on the sidelines of the conference that he does not approve the capture of Israeli soldiers to trade them for Palestinian prisoners.
He said that Palestinian security forces found 96 Israeli soldiers, who lost their way in Palestinian villages, last year and returned them safely to their families.
Meanwhile, a number of Jordanian and Arab reporters withdrew from the conference after 20 Israeli journalists arrived to attend a speech for Peres.
Jordanian parties and syndicates denounced the participation of “criminal” Peres in the conference on Jordanian soil, adding that his participation was in disrespect of the blood of martyrs, who fell at the hands of Israel, and in disregard of the Jordanian prisoners, who are on hunger strike in Israeli jails asking for their rights.
Gaza government warns of Abbas's decision to renew negotiations
Gaza government warned of Abbas's individual decision to renew talks with the occupation and to sign one-sided agreement as what happened with Oslo agreement 20 years ago. There are American pressures on both Israeli and Palestinian sides to re-start negotiations in attempt to impose agreements, Dr. Yousef Rizqa, Haniyeh's political advisor, said.
The Palestinian people, the PLO Executive Committee, the National Council and Palestinian factions know nothing about the ongoing meetings, he added.
He warned of Abbas's individual decision to sign agreements with the occupation at the expense of the Palestinian reconciliation. The Palestinian people have to be aware of everything that has happened and everything that will happen, Rizqa stressed.
For its part, al-Ahrar Palestinian movement considered the ongoing meetings between Abbas and Kerry as absurd meetings, warning of their serious impact on the Palestinian cause.
The national reconciliation and negotiations are two options that can never go together, the movement's spokesman said, stressing that Abbas is manipulating in dealing with the reconciliation file.
The spokesman said that Abbas's statements, during Davos Conference that 96 Israeli soldiers who had mistakenly entered the PA controlled areas during 2012, have been handed to the Israeli authorities, came in total disregard to the Palestinian people's sacrifices.
He condemned the PA policy of security coordination with the Israeli occupation that reflects its weakness and its dependence on the US administration
During his speech to the World Economic Forum in Jordan Abbas revealed that PA security services returned 96 Israeli soldiers who had mistakenly entered the PA controlled areas, to the Israeli authorities in 2012.
"Kidnapping soldiers is not in our nature, we do not use these methods, and we want to live with neighbors with mutual respect. Any Israeli that comes onto Palestinian ground will be welcomed and returned safely to his home," he said.
In October 2011, 1027 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli jails in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured in Gaza at 2006.
Barhoum: Kerry's economic plan, a new attempt to deceive public opinion
Hamas movement has considered Kerry's new economic plan to activate the Palestinian situation in West Bank as a new attempt to deceive the public opinion. Fawzi Barhoum, the movement's spokesman, warned of the serious impact of Kerry's plan, saying that US previous projects were only attempts to provide more time to implement the Israeli Judaization and racist schemes.
The spokesman for the movement said that the repeated meetings between Kerry and Abbas raise doubts about the future of the Palestinian reconciliation, rights and resistance.
PA is subjected to US pressures to renew negotiation with the occupation that will affect seriously the Palestinian unity and reconciliation, he added.
He stressed that all the Palestinian segments have always rejected any attempt to restart talks with the occupier.
Haniyeh: Cooperation with occupation in not part of the Palestinian culture
The Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh expressed his surprise towards Abbas's recent statements in favor of security coordination with the occupier, saying that it is not part of the Palestinian culture. The Palestinian resistance, which has captured the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, is committed to the release of all Palestinian prisoners, he said on Monday.
Haniyeh criticized PA concessions during its repeated meeting with US secretary of state John Kerry, stressing that many enticements and money were offered to his government, but they were refused because "Palestine is not for sale."
During his speech to the World Economic Forum in Jordan Abbas revealed that PA security services returned 96 Israeli soldiers who had mistakenly entered the PA-controlled areas, to the Israeli authorities in 2012.
"Kidnapping soldiers is not in our nature, we do not use these methods, and we want to live with neighbors in mutual respect. Any Israeli that comes onto Palestinian ground will be welcomed and returned safely to his home," he said.
26 may 2013
Minister Landau
During Cabinet meeting focusing on Kerry's efforts to jumpstart peace talks, tourism minister repeats Abba Eban's famous statement regarding possible Israeli withdrawal from West Bank. Minister Peretz: Any peace deal would involve land swaps
Sunday's cabinet meeting devoted to the discussion of US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts to renew the direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians exposed wide gaps within the coalition.
During the meeting, Tourism Minister Uzi Landau (Likud-Beiteinu) mentioned a statement by the late Abba Eban, according to which an Israeli withdrawal from the territory it captured during the 1967 war would mark a return to "Auschwitz borders."
Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz (Hatnua), on the other hand, said any future peace agreement with the Palestinians would be based on these borders.
"Certainly, any diplomatic agreement will be based on the '67 borders and land swaps," he said. "The moment of truth has come, and Kerry's presence in the region is extremely important. I hope the Israeli president (Shimon Peres), who is in Jordan, will make statements that will jumpstart the process."
Minister Landau warned: "The legendary foreign minister Abba Eban once said that the 1967 borders were 'Auschwitz borders.' What country wants to (withdraw) to borders it cannot protect?"
Landau was referring to an interview Eban gave to German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel in 1969, in which he said: "The June (1967) map is for us equivalent to insecurity and danger. I do not exaggerate when I say that it has for us something of a memory of Auschwitz." Kerry told a press conference in Tel Aviv on Friday that Israeli and Palestinian leaders must take "hard decisions" to restart talks.
"It is clear that in the long run the status quo is not sustainable," Kerry said, noting that the "one way" to peace was through direct talks.
"We're getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to be made," he said at the end of his fourth visit to the region since he took office in February.
"Ultimately it is the Israeli and Palestinian people who both decide the outcome... and who will get the greatest benefits" from a resumption of talks, Kerry said following meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"I made clear in my discussions that the parties should be focused on making progress toward...direct negotiations," he said on Friday, adding that each side needed to "refrain from provocative rhetoric or actions ... that take us backwards."
During Cabinet meeting focusing on Kerry's efforts to jumpstart peace talks, tourism minister repeats Abba Eban's famous statement regarding possible Israeli withdrawal from West Bank. Minister Peretz: Any peace deal would involve land swaps
Sunday's cabinet meeting devoted to the discussion of US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts to renew the direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians exposed wide gaps within the coalition.
During the meeting, Tourism Minister Uzi Landau (Likud-Beiteinu) mentioned a statement by the late Abba Eban, according to which an Israeli withdrawal from the territory it captured during the 1967 war would mark a return to "Auschwitz borders."
Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz (Hatnua), on the other hand, said any future peace agreement with the Palestinians would be based on these borders.
"Certainly, any diplomatic agreement will be based on the '67 borders and land swaps," he said. "The moment of truth has come, and Kerry's presence in the region is extremely important. I hope the Israeli president (Shimon Peres), who is in Jordan, will make statements that will jumpstart the process."
Minister Landau warned: "The legendary foreign minister Abba Eban once said that the 1967 borders were 'Auschwitz borders.' What country wants to (withdraw) to borders it cannot protect?"
Landau was referring to an interview Eban gave to German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel in 1969, in which he said: "The June (1967) map is for us equivalent to insecurity and danger. I do not exaggerate when I say that it has for us something of a memory of Auschwitz." Kerry told a press conference in Tel Aviv on Friday that Israeli and Palestinian leaders must take "hard decisions" to restart talks.
"It is clear that in the long run the status quo is not sustainable," Kerry said, noting that the "one way" to peace was through direct talks.
"We're getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to be made," he said at the end of his fourth visit to the region since he took office in February.
"Ultimately it is the Israeli and Palestinian people who both decide the outcome... and who will get the greatest benefits" from a resumption of talks, Kerry said following meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"I made clear in my discussions that the parties should be focused on making progress toward...direct negotiations," he said on Friday, adding that each side needed to "refrain from provocative rhetoric or actions ... that take us backwards."
25 may 2013
President Mahmoud Abbas is under huge pressure to resume peace talks with Israel without obtaining any guarantees from the Israeli side, a senior Palestinian official said Saturday.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity to Italian news agency AKI, the official said that the majority of foreign ministers who have recently visited Ramallah have urged Abbas to comply with US Secretary of State John Kerry's requests to resume negotiations.
Kerry, who has been pressing for talks between both sides, has failed to obtain commitments by Israel to stop settlement building, accept a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, or present an Israeli vision for the two state solution, the official said.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu may make concessions by easing some of the restrictions on the Palestinian economy, the official said, thus suggesting that US efforts will turn to economic improvements rather than a political solution.
On Friday, Kerry urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take "hard decisions" to revive the Middle East peace process.
"We're getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to be made," he told a news conference in Tel Aviv at the end of his fourth visit to the region since he took office in February.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity to Italian news agency AKI, the official said that the majority of foreign ministers who have recently visited Ramallah have urged Abbas to comply with US Secretary of State John Kerry's requests to resume negotiations.
Kerry, who has been pressing for talks between both sides, has failed to obtain commitments by Israel to stop settlement building, accept a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, or present an Israeli vision for the two state solution, the official said.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu may make concessions by easing some of the restrictions on the Palestinian economy, the official said, thus suggesting that US efforts will turn to economic improvements rather than a political solution.
On Friday, Kerry urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take "hard decisions" to revive the Middle East peace process.
"We're getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to be made," he told a news conference in Tel Aviv at the end of his fourth visit to the region since he took office in February.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has once again announced the United States’ full support for the Israeli regime, calling Tel Aviv the closest ally of Washington in the region.
“As everyone knows, Israel remains our closest ally and a partner in the region,” Kerry told reporters on Friday after talks with Israeli officials.
Kerry also claimed “hard decisions” have to be made in order for an agreement to be reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The US secretary of state called on the Israeli regime to stop its illegal settlement activities.
“The United States' position with respect to settlements is clear and it has not changed. We believe they should stop,” he said.
“That is a position that has been consistent not just by the United States but by the international community.”
During his two-day visit to the occupied Palestinian lands, Kerry held separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas.
On Thursday, Palestinians held a rally in the city of Ramallah to condemn Kerry’s visit to the occupied West Bank.
The demonstrators voiced their distrust toward the United States and what Washington and its Western allies call the Middle East peace process. They also condemned the US military support for Israel.
This is Kerry’s fourth visit to the region since he took office in February.
The last round of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials broke down in September 2010 over Tel Aviv’s illegal settlement activities.
In recent months, Israel has given approval to build thousands of settler units on the occupied Palestinian territories, despite opposition from the United Nations and the international community.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The UN and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
Newspapers Review: Dailies Highlight Kerry’s Statements
The three Palestinian dailies Saturday highlighted US Secretary of State John Kerry’s statements during his two-day visit to Palestine and Israel to re-launch the peace process in the region. Al-Hayat al-Jadida’s front page headline read: “Kerry encourages Israelis and Palestinians to ‘make hard decisions’ to resume negotiations.”
Al-Ayyam reported on Kerry saying that the issue of “legalizing” Israeli settlement outposts in the West Bank must not prevent the resumption of the peace process.
The dailies printed a photo of Kerry during a press conference in Tel Aviv as he was getting ready to leave the country.
Al-Quds quoted a “senior” Palestinian official saying that President Mahmoud Abbas is under immense pressure to return to negotiations.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who continues to refuse to release prisoners before any talks or to freeze settlement activity.
Al-Quds front page headline highlighted British Foreign Secretary William Hague telling Palestinian reporters at the British Consulate in Jerusalem that “chances for the two-state solution are starting to fade away.”
It printed a photo of Hague sitting in a tent at one of the Bedouin communities located near E1 area east of Jerusalem.
Al-Ayyam quoted Hague saying, “We have to wait for Kerry and the consequences of his failure are grave. Israel loses European and International support due to Settlement activity.”
The three dailies reported on the weekly anti-settlements, anti-wall protests across the West Bank and the Israeli army crackdown on them causing dozens of injuries.
Al-Quds quoted a leading figure in Hezbollah saying that if Israel chooses war, “we both will go back to the stone ago.”
“As everyone knows, Israel remains our closest ally and a partner in the region,” Kerry told reporters on Friday after talks with Israeli officials.
Kerry also claimed “hard decisions” have to be made in order for an agreement to be reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The US secretary of state called on the Israeli regime to stop its illegal settlement activities.
“The United States' position with respect to settlements is clear and it has not changed. We believe they should stop,” he said.
“That is a position that has been consistent not just by the United States but by the international community.”
During his two-day visit to the occupied Palestinian lands, Kerry held separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas.
On Thursday, Palestinians held a rally in the city of Ramallah to condemn Kerry’s visit to the occupied West Bank.
The demonstrators voiced their distrust toward the United States and what Washington and its Western allies call the Middle East peace process. They also condemned the US military support for Israel.
This is Kerry’s fourth visit to the region since he took office in February.
The last round of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials broke down in September 2010 over Tel Aviv’s illegal settlement activities.
In recent months, Israel has given approval to build thousands of settler units on the occupied Palestinian territories, despite opposition from the United Nations and the international community.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.
The UN and most countries regard the Israeli settlements as illegal because the territories were captured by Israel in a war in 1967 and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbids construction on occupied lands.
Newspapers Review: Dailies Highlight Kerry’s Statements
The three Palestinian dailies Saturday highlighted US Secretary of State John Kerry’s statements during his two-day visit to Palestine and Israel to re-launch the peace process in the region. Al-Hayat al-Jadida’s front page headline read: “Kerry encourages Israelis and Palestinians to ‘make hard decisions’ to resume negotiations.”
Al-Ayyam reported on Kerry saying that the issue of “legalizing” Israeli settlement outposts in the West Bank must not prevent the resumption of the peace process.
The dailies printed a photo of Kerry during a press conference in Tel Aviv as he was getting ready to leave the country.
Al-Quds quoted a “senior” Palestinian official saying that President Mahmoud Abbas is under immense pressure to return to negotiations.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who continues to refuse to release prisoners before any talks or to freeze settlement activity.
Al-Quds front page headline highlighted British Foreign Secretary William Hague telling Palestinian reporters at the British Consulate in Jerusalem that “chances for the two-state solution are starting to fade away.”
It printed a photo of Hague sitting in a tent at one of the Bedouin communities located near E1 area east of Jerusalem.
Al-Ayyam quoted Hague saying, “We have to wait for Kerry and the consequences of his failure are grave. Israel loses European and International support due to Settlement activity.”
The three dailies reported on the weekly anti-settlements, anti-wall protests across the West Bank and the Israeli army crackdown on them causing dozens of injuries.
Al-Quds quoted a leading figure in Hezbollah saying that if Israel chooses war, “we both will go back to the stone ago.”
24 may 2013
Kerry: Israel, Palestinians must take hard decisions
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take "hard decisions" to bring alive the Middle East peace process.
"We're getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to be made," he told a news conference after meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders on his fourth visit to the region as top US diplomat.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to take "hard decisions" to bring alive the Middle East peace process.
"We're getting toward a time now when hard decisions need to be made," he told a news conference after meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders on his fourth visit to the region as top US diplomat.
23 may 2013
Palestinians rally in the city of Ramallah against the US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the occupied West Bank on May 23, 2013
Palestinians have held a rally in the city of Ramallah to condemn the US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the occupied West Bank.
The protesters took to the streets on Thursday and staged a demonstration a few kilometers from where Kerry met with Acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas.
The demonstrators voiced their distrust toward the United States and what Washington and its Western allies call the Middle East peace process. They also condemned US military support for Israel.
The protesters shouted anti-US slogans and carried placards denouncing Washington's support for the Israeli occupation and its crimes against the Palestinian people. “Kerry, we don’t trust you and America,” one palacard read.
Kerry’s meeting with Abbas, hours after his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in al-Quds (Jerusalem), comes on the first leg of his new Middle East tour that aims to revive stalled talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
The Palestinians are highly skeptical of the US role in the Middle East, saying Washington is not an impartial peace broker.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who is also visiting the region, held talks with Israel's chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, and was due to hold talks with Netanyahu and Abbas later in the day.
Direct PA-Israel talks broke down in late 2008 after Israel’s continued settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank, especially in East al-Quds, prompted the Palestinian side to leave the negotiating table.
Last week, Tel Aviv's legalization of four outposts in the occupied West Bank drew a rare response from an irked Kerry, who personally phoned the Israeli ambassador to Washington to demand explanation over the decision.
Palestinians have held a rally in the city of Ramallah to condemn the US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the occupied West Bank.
The protesters took to the streets on Thursday and staged a demonstration a few kilometers from where Kerry met with Acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas.
The demonstrators voiced their distrust toward the United States and what Washington and its Western allies call the Middle East peace process. They also condemned US military support for Israel.
The protesters shouted anti-US slogans and carried placards denouncing Washington's support for the Israeli occupation and its crimes against the Palestinian people. “Kerry, we don’t trust you and America,” one palacard read.
Kerry’s meeting with Abbas, hours after his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in al-Quds (Jerusalem), comes on the first leg of his new Middle East tour that aims to revive stalled talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
The Palestinians are highly skeptical of the US role in the Middle East, saying Washington is not an impartial peace broker.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who is also visiting the region, held talks with Israel's chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, and was due to hold talks with Netanyahu and Abbas later in the day.
Direct PA-Israel talks broke down in late 2008 after Israel’s continued settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank, especially in East al-Quds, prompted the Palestinian side to leave the negotiating table.
Last week, Tel Aviv's legalization of four outposts in the occupied West Bank drew a rare response from an irked Kerry, who personally phoned the Israeli ambassador to Washington to demand explanation over the decision.
Peace between Israel and the Palestinians is a "priority," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on a visit to the region Thursday, as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The Middle East peace process is ... an urgent priority for the United Kingdom and to the world," he told reporters ahead of a meeting with Netanyahu.
"We welcome the very strong commitment (to reviving peace talks) shown by (US) President (Barack) Obama on his recent visit here, and by Secretary (of State John) Kerry, who is here again," Hague said.
"My visit is in support of those efforts," he said. "We urge all parties to move the process forward and to really give the bold and decisive leadership that will allow success," he stressed, adding that peace was "necessary and just and possible."
Kerry was also in Jerusalem on Thursday on his fourth visit to the region since taking office in February, to push for a revival of a peace process that broke down in September 2010.
He was meeting Palestinian leaders in Ramallah in the West Bank on Thursday afternoon, and Hague was to follow suit by delivering a speech there and meeting President Mahmoud Abbas.
Hague and Netanyahu would also discuss the Iranian nuclear program and the war in Syria, the two men added in separate statements, hailing Britain and Israel's "strategic" cooperation.
Hague spoke of Britain's "very strong concerns ... about the nuclear program of Iran. We pursue ... sanctions and negotiations, but nobody should doubt our resolve in these matters."
Netanyahu described Iran's atomic drive as "the biggest challenge of our time."
The Israeli premier also expressed his condolences for the "horrific terrorist attack against a British citizen in London," a reference to the murder of a soldier there on Wednesday.
"We sympathize deeply."
"The Middle East peace process is ... an urgent priority for the United Kingdom and to the world," he told reporters ahead of a meeting with Netanyahu.
"We welcome the very strong commitment (to reviving peace talks) shown by (US) President (Barack) Obama on his recent visit here, and by Secretary (of State John) Kerry, who is here again," Hague said.
"My visit is in support of those efforts," he said. "We urge all parties to move the process forward and to really give the bold and decisive leadership that will allow success," he stressed, adding that peace was "necessary and just and possible."
Kerry was also in Jerusalem on Thursday on his fourth visit to the region since taking office in February, to push for a revival of a peace process that broke down in September 2010.
He was meeting Palestinian leaders in Ramallah in the West Bank on Thursday afternoon, and Hague was to follow suit by delivering a speech there and meeting President Mahmoud Abbas.
Hague and Netanyahu would also discuss the Iranian nuclear program and the war in Syria, the two men added in separate statements, hailing Britain and Israel's "strategic" cooperation.
Hague spoke of Britain's "very strong concerns ... about the nuclear program of Iran. We pursue ... sanctions and negotiations, but nobody should doubt our resolve in these matters."
Netanyahu described Iran's atomic drive as "the biggest challenge of our time."
The Israeli premier also expressed his condolences for the "horrific terrorist attack against a British citizen in London," a reference to the murder of a soldier there on Wednesday.
"We sympathize deeply."
US Secretary of State John Kerry flew in to Israel Thursday as he kept up a push to bring Israelis and Palestinians back to peace negotiations amid a growing skepticism over his efforts.
Making his fourth trip to Israel since he began his tenure in February, Kerry was to head straight into talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before travelling to Ramallah to meet President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel's top negotiator and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday the government is divided on the issue of peace with the Palestinians.
"There are ideological differences at the heart of the government," Livni told public radio.
The stalling of the peace process since September 2010 "only serves the interests of those think that each passing day (without a peace agreement) allows them to build a new house," she said, in reference to Jewish settlement building on Palestinian territory, a key issue preventing a return to talks.
"But this is not the position of the majority of Israel's population," she added.
Kerry's meetings come after a long day of diplomacy in Jordan, during which he met with 10 other foreign ministers from the "Friends of Syria" group in a bid to try to end the Syrian conflict.
Kerry has been back and forth to the region to push for the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
But despite public declarations of support for his efforts, frustrations have been welling up from both sides.
"Kerry has a lot of good intentions and a real sense of mission" but in practice "looks like a naive and ham-handed diplomat who has been acting like a bull in the china shop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," a columnist wrote last week in the Israeli daily Haaretz.
And in an interview with Palestinian press, Hanan Ashrawi, Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee member, said she saw "no readiness" on the Israeli part for a resumption of talks.
"We are waiting for a clear American position and a clear Israeli commitment in the peace process requirements," she said.
Kerry however seems committed to his push, and after whirlwind talks Thursday and Friday, will return to the region on Monday to attend the World Economic Forum in Amman.
He has been seeking to put together a plan for the economic revival of the West Bank and it is possible he could unveil his ideas at the forum.
Making his fourth trip to Israel since he began his tenure in February, Kerry was to head straight into talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before travelling to Ramallah to meet President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel's top negotiator and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday the government is divided on the issue of peace with the Palestinians.
"There are ideological differences at the heart of the government," Livni told public radio.
The stalling of the peace process since September 2010 "only serves the interests of those think that each passing day (without a peace agreement) allows them to build a new house," she said, in reference to Jewish settlement building on Palestinian territory, a key issue preventing a return to talks.
"But this is not the position of the majority of Israel's population," she added.
Kerry's meetings come after a long day of diplomacy in Jordan, during which he met with 10 other foreign ministers from the "Friends of Syria" group in a bid to try to end the Syrian conflict.
Kerry has been back and forth to the region to push for the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
But despite public declarations of support for his efforts, frustrations have been welling up from both sides.
"Kerry has a lot of good intentions and a real sense of mission" but in practice "looks like a naive and ham-handed diplomat who has been acting like a bull in the china shop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," a columnist wrote last week in the Israeli daily Haaretz.
And in an interview with Palestinian press, Hanan Ashrawi, Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee member, said she saw "no readiness" on the Israeli part for a resumption of talks.
"We are waiting for a clear American position and a clear Israeli commitment in the peace process requirements," she said.
Kerry however seems committed to his push, and after whirlwind talks Thursday and Friday, will return to the region on Monday to attend the World Economic Forum in Amman.
He has been seeking to put together a plan for the economic revival of the West Bank and it is possible he could unveil his ideas at the forum.
22 may 2013
From Khalid Amayreh in occupied Jerusalem
With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry making a last effort to salvage the moribund peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) it seems that Israel has finally made any prospective peace deal based on the two-state solution vision utterly unworkable, Israel this week decided to legalize four additional settlements in the occupied West Bank, including one a few blocks away from the heart of Ramallah, the temporary PA capital.
All Jewish settlements established in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967 are illegal and unlawful according to international law.
Israel had promised rather ad nauseam successive American administrations to dismantle "illegal settlements." However, due to apparent bad faith and repeated procrastination, none of the illegal outposts has been removed.
In contrast to virtually all nations of the world, which consider the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip "illegally occupied territories," Israel views these Arab lands as "disputed rather than occupied."
Even the United States, Israel's guardian-ally and ultimate bankroller, doesn't share the Israeli view with regard to the status of the territories, including East Jerusalem.
The U.S. has consistently refused to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, ostensibly in deference to international law. This happened despite massive pressure on various American administrations by Congress and other pro-Israel pressure groups.
Decapitating the two-state solution
The new settlement scheme drew angry reactions from the PA, with one official accusing the Israeli government of "effectively decapitating the two-state solution."
"They are dotting the West Bank with Jewish settlements that Palestinian population centers have become isolated islands in the midst of a huge sea of Jewish colonies, said Abbas Zaki, an aide to PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas..
"But the Israelis are quite mistaken if they think the Palestinian people or their political leadership will succumb to the fait accompli, added the prominent Fatah leader, hinting that the Palestinians will not settle for anything less than a viable and territorially contiguous state on 100% of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Another PLO official, Hanan Ashrawi, said the timing of the authorization of the new settlements was very significant.
"It is a direct affront to all efforts at trying to revive any kind of peace negotiations. It is an attempt to tell the Americans that Israel calls the shots. It is also a message about the true nature of the Israeli government; it is an anti-peace government."
Another official was quoted by the Israeli English daily, the Jerusalem Post, as saying that "Israel simply doesn't want peace.”
Even the Israeli Peace-now movement rejected the new settlement expansion in the heart of the West Bank. , calling it "an attempt to legalize an illegal action."
"It is legalizing an illegal action and creating a possibility for more illegal construction. This gives a green light to the illegal establishment of outposts because it shows permission can be sorted out retrospectively," says Peace Now spokeswoman Melaine Robbins.
Lies and deceit
The Israeli government has responded to international criticisms over its unmitigated settlement-expansion with a combination of lies, deceit and defiance.
Last week, the Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had quietly halted the construction of some settlements by freezing tenders for new settler units. However, a few days later the government announced that it had given its preliminary approval for building 300 settler units in the settlement of Beit El outside Ramallah.
The PA has been saying it won't return to peace talks with Israel until Israel freezes settlement expansion. The US has exerted some verbal pressure on Israel to halt the building of settlements especially in those parts of the West Bank destined to be located within the boundaries of a future Palestinian state.
However, Israel rejected all American and European efforts to this effect, with President Obama ostensibly reaching the conclusion that it is pointless to challenge Netanyahu, both at the Israeli and American home turfs.
In fact, instead of punishing Israel for its intransigence and rejectionism, both the U.S. Germany have been rewarding the Jewish state with state-of-the-art offensive weapons to further enhance Israel 's ability to attack neighbors, near and distant.
Earlier this month, the U.S. decided to sell Israel an assortment of advanced weapons and laser-guided bombs, reportedly intended to improve Israel's capability of striking distant targets such as Iran.
Likewise, Germany is reportedly due to hand Israel a fifth nuclear-capable submarine of the Dolphin class. Furthermore, the EU, under American pressure, has also decided to reconsider measures to mark produces and other commodities originating from Jewish settlements.
Some European and American officials often make the claim that a "softer approach" toward Israel would induce the Jewish state to be more forthcoming with regard to the peace process.
However, in light of the experience of more than five decades, it is crystal clear that this argument is nearly totally fallacious as more "inducements" Israel receives from the West, particularly from the United States, consistently made the Jewish state more intransigent and less flexible.
Kerry's last shot?
According to sources in Ramallah, the Palestinian leadership believes it is highly unlikely that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will make any significant progress during his current visit to the region, due to start Thursday.
One source was quoted as saying that the Americans are working on a formula that will make possible the resumption of peace talks, and are working in parallel on a political and economic framework.
However, it is unlikely that the PA will agree to resume talks with Israel without having the Jewish state agree to some sort of settlement freeze and also accept to negotiate on the basis of the 1967 borders.
PA official Saeb Ereikat on Monday told a UN committee in New York that a settlement freeze and the release of Palestinian prisoners were not conditions for returning to negotiations but rather obligations that Israel had to fulfill.
"We have no conditions to resume negotiations, the chief Palestinian negotiator told the Committee on the Right of the Palestinian People.
"Make no mistake; we are exerting every possible effort in order to see that Mr. Kerry succeeds. No one benefits more from the success of Secretary Kerry than the Palestinians and no one loses more from his failure."
Stressing that the proverbial ball was decidedly in the Israeli court, the Palestinian official described the situation in occupied Palestine as "apartheid par excellance that is worse than that which existed in South Africa."
He also said that the PA had finished preparations for joining a host of international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), adding, however, that the Palestinians wouldn't act yet in order to give the Obama administration another chance to pursue peace in Palestine.
A few weeks ago, Kerry was quoted as suggesting that the two-state solution strategy was coming to an end, apparently due to the intensive expansion of Jewish settlements. He said if the "parties" didn't reach a settlement within one or one and a half years, then chances of the two state solution would be over for ever.
With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry making a last effort to salvage the moribund peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) it seems that Israel has finally made any prospective peace deal based on the two-state solution vision utterly unworkable, Israel this week decided to legalize four additional settlements in the occupied West Bank, including one a few blocks away from the heart of Ramallah, the temporary PA capital.
All Jewish settlements established in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967 are illegal and unlawful according to international law.
Israel had promised rather ad nauseam successive American administrations to dismantle "illegal settlements." However, due to apparent bad faith and repeated procrastination, none of the illegal outposts has been removed.
In contrast to virtually all nations of the world, which consider the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip "illegally occupied territories," Israel views these Arab lands as "disputed rather than occupied."
Even the United States, Israel's guardian-ally and ultimate bankroller, doesn't share the Israeli view with regard to the status of the territories, including East Jerusalem.
The U.S. has consistently refused to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, ostensibly in deference to international law. This happened despite massive pressure on various American administrations by Congress and other pro-Israel pressure groups.
Decapitating the two-state solution
The new settlement scheme drew angry reactions from the PA, with one official accusing the Israeli government of "effectively decapitating the two-state solution."
"They are dotting the West Bank with Jewish settlements that Palestinian population centers have become isolated islands in the midst of a huge sea of Jewish colonies, said Abbas Zaki, an aide to PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas..
"But the Israelis are quite mistaken if they think the Palestinian people or their political leadership will succumb to the fait accompli, added the prominent Fatah leader, hinting that the Palestinians will not settle for anything less than a viable and territorially contiguous state on 100% of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Another PLO official, Hanan Ashrawi, said the timing of the authorization of the new settlements was very significant.
"It is a direct affront to all efforts at trying to revive any kind of peace negotiations. It is an attempt to tell the Americans that Israel calls the shots. It is also a message about the true nature of the Israeli government; it is an anti-peace government."
Another official was quoted by the Israeli English daily, the Jerusalem Post, as saying that "Israel simply doesn't want peace.”
Even the Israeli Peace-now movement rejected the new settlement expansion in the heart of the West Bank. , calling it "an attempt to legalize an illegal action."
"It is legalizing an illegal action and creating a possibility for more illegal construction. This gives a green light to the illegal establishment of outposts because it shows permission can be sorted out retrospectively," says Peace Now spokeswoman Melaine Robbins.
Lies and deceit
The Israeli government has responded to international criticisms over its unmitigated settlement-expansion with a combination of lies, deceit and defiance.
Last week, the Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had quietly halted the construction of some settlements by freezing tenders for new settler units. However, a few days later the government announced that it had given its preliminary approval for building 300 settler units in the settlement of Beit El outside Ramallah.
The PA has been saying it won't return to peace talks with Israel until Israel freezes settlement expansion. The US has exerted some verbal pressure on Israel to halt the building of settlements especially in those parts of the West Bank destined to be located within the boundaries of a future Palestinian state.
However, Israel rejected all American and European efforts to this effect, with President Obama ostensibly reaching the conclusion that it is pointless to challenge Netanyahu, both at the Israeli and American home turfs.
In fact, instead of punishing Israel for its intransigence and rejectionism, both the U.S. Germany have been rewarding the Jewish state with state-of-the-art offensive weapons to further enhance Israel 's ability to attack neighbors, near and distant.
Earlier this month, the U.S. decided to sell Israel an assortment of advanced weapons and laser-guided bombs, reportedly intended to improve Israel's capability of striking distant targets such as Iran.
Likewise, Germany is reportedly due to hand Israel a fifth nuclear-capable submarine of the Dolphin class. Furthermore, the EU, under American pressure, has also decided to reconsider measures to mark produces and other commodities originating from Jewish settlements.
Some European and American officials often make the claim that a "softer approach" toward Israel would induce the Jewish state to be more forthcoming with regard to the peace process.
However, in light of the experience of more than five decades, it is crystal clear that this argument is nearly totally fallacious as more "inducements" Israel receives from the West, particularly from the United States, consistently made the Jewish state more intransigent and less flexible.
Kerry's last shot?
According to sources in Ramallah, the Palestinian leadership believes it is highly unlikely that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will make any significant progress during his current visit to the region, due to start Thursday.
One source was quoted as saying that the Americans are working on a formula that will make possible the resumption of peace talks, and are working in parallel on a political and economic framework.
However, it is unlikely that the PA will agree to resume talks with Israel without having the Jewish state agree to some sort of settlement freeze and also accept to negotiate on the basis of the 1967 borders.
PA official Saeb Ereikat on Monday told a UN committee in New York that a settlement freeze and the release of Palestinian prisoners were not conditions for returning to negotiations but rather obligations that Israel had to fulfill.
"We have no conditions to resume negotiations, the chief Palestinian negotiator told the Committee on the Right of the Palestinian People.
"Make no mistake; we are exerting every possible effort in order to see that Mr. Kerry succeeds. No one benefits more from the success of Secretary Kerry than the Palestinians and no one loses more from his failure."
Stressing that the proverbial ball was decidedly in the Israeli court, the Palestinian official described the situation in occupied Palestine as "apartheid par excellance that is worse than that which existed in South Africa."
He also said that the PA had finished preparations for joining a host of international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), adding, however, that the Palestinians wouldn't act yet in order to give the Obama administration another chance to pursue peace in Palestine.
A few weeks ago, Kerry was quoted as suggesting that the two-state solution strategy was coming to an end, apparently due to the intensive expansion of Jewish settlements. He said if the "parties" didn't reach a settlement within one or one and a half years, then chances of the two state solution would be over for ever.
19 may 2013
Germany urges Israel-Palestinian peace talks
Israeli President Shimon Peres poses with German Foriegn Minister Guido Westerwelle during a meeting in Jerusalem
Germany's foreign minister said on Saturday his country was prepared to help create conditions for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Guido Westerwelle, on a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, was quoted by a foreign ministry statement as saying "Germany is ready to help create a climate of confidence" that would permit talks to resume.
"The most important thing is that direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians can take place again," said Westerwelle, who met with outgoing premier Salam Fayyad in Ramallah.
The German minister also stressed the importance for a peaceful outcome of economic development in the Palestinian territories.
And he called for an international conference to be held on the civil war in Syria, as has been proposed by Russia and the United States.
A political solution is the "only thing, given the current state of affairs, that can bring stability and peace" and "a democratic outcome in Syria."
Germany's foreign minister said on Saturday his country was prepared to help create conditions for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Guido Westerwelle, on a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, was quoted by a foreign ministry statement as saying "Germany is ready to help create a climate of confidence" that would permit talks to resume.
"The most important thing is that direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians can take place again," said Westerwelle, who met with outgoing premier Salam Fayyad in Ramallah.
The German minister also stressed the importance for a peaceful outcome of economic development in the Palestinian territories.
And he called for an international conference to be held on the civil war in Syria, as has been proposed by Russia and the United States.
A political solution is the "only thing, given the current state of affairs, that can bring stability and peace" and "a democratic outcome in Syria."
17 may 2013
German foreign minister reaffirms Israel 'friendship'
Visiting German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Friday reaffirmed his country's friendship for Israel in "challenging times" for the region, as tensions mount over the Syrian conflict.
"I want to underline that in these challenging times Germany stands alongside its Israeli partners," Westerwelle said at the start of talks in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his host a "dear friend."
"We want to work together, we want to support you and this is what our friendship is about," he added, speaking in English.
"I'm using the word friendship, which is from our understanding more than a partnership. This is not only a strategic alliance; this is a friendship between societies, between peoples and between governments."
Netanyahu said that the current upheaval in the Middle East was more acute than for many decades.
"Today the Middle East is undergoing a period of tremendous and unprecedented instability," he said.
"We have not seen such an upheaval in this region for many decades. I follow closely the rapidly changing situation around us. I follow closely the very real challenges that this rapidly changing situation poses for the security of Israel," said the prime minister.
"I will travel to wherever needed," Netanyahu added. "I will meet with whoever is needed and I'm doing whatever is needed to protect the security of the citizens of Israel, and I will continue to do so."
Westerwelle also said that Germany was fully behind US efforts to revive dormant peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
"We believe that the Middle East peace process and the work on a two-state solution should be revived now and we will do what we can to support security and a peaceful and sustainable development for Israel and the whole region."
At a meeting earlier with Westerwelle in Tel Aviv, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni slammed Russian arms deals with Syria, after US media reported further weapons shipments to the Damascus regime.
"The transfer of arms to Syria is clearly not positive and does not contribute to the stability of the region," Livni said. "Israel has the right to defend itself."
"I want to underline that in these challenging times Germany stands alongside its Israeli partners," Westerwelle said at the start of talks in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his host a "dear friend."
"We want to work together, we want to support you and this is what our friendship is about," he added, speaking in English.
"I'm using the word friendship, which is from our understanding more than a partnership. This is not only a strategic alliance; this is a friendship between societies, between peoples and between governments."
Netanyahu said that the current upheaval in the Middle East was more acute than for many decades.
"Today the Middle East is undergoing a period of tremendous and unprecedented instability," he said.
"We have not seen such an upheaval in this region for many decades. I follow closely the rapidly changing situation around us. I follow closely the very real challenges that this rapidly changing situation poses for the security of Israel," said the prime minister.
"I will travel to wherever needed," Netanyahu added. "I will meet with whoever is needed and I'm doing whatever is needed to protect the security of the citizens of Israel, and I will continue to do so."
Westerwelle also said that Germany was fully behind US efforts to revive dormant peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
"We believe that the Middle East peace process and the work on a two-state solution should be revived now and we will do what we can to support security and a peaceful and sustainable development for Israel and the whole region."
At a meeting earlier with Westerwelle in Tel Aviv, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni slammed Russian arms deals with Syria, after US media reported further weapons shipments to the Damascus regime.
"The transfer of arms to Syria is clearly not positive and does not contribute to the stability of the region," Livni said. "Israel has the right to defend itself."
Turkey: No peace deal without Palestinian unity
Middle East peace will prove impossible without Palestinian unity, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Friday, suggesting Ankara could help reconcile the Fatah and Hamas parties.
"The process of unity between Fatah and Hamas, this has to be achieved," Erdogan told a Washington think tank during a visit to the United States.
"If this reconciliation is not achieved, then I don't believe that a solution or result will come out of the Israeli-Palestinian discussions."
And he revealed he had told Tony Blair, the special envoy for the Quartet of nations shepherding the talks, that "Hamas has to be around the table for peace to emerge in the Middle East."
He was speaking after he met on Thursday with US President Barack Obama and confirmed that he plans to visit the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as well as Fatah's West Bank stronghold next month despite US opposition.
The dual stops mean Erdogan would meet with the Hamas rulers of Gaza as well as with President Mahmoud Abbas, likely in Ramallah.
"Turkey, I think there is a lot that we can do because we can talk to Hamas, we can talk to Fatah ... We want them to get together, to agree to each other," Erdogan told the Brookings Institution, speaking through a translator.
If a reconciliation between the two Palestinian sides were reached "I think that the talks with Israel would be moving forward more swiftly," he added.
Washington has urged Erdogan to postpone any visit to the Gaza Strip, saying it would be a "distraction" from its efforts to revive the moribund Middle East peace process.
"As we've said consistently, we oppose engagement with Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization which remains a destabilizing force in Gaza and the region," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We urge all parties who share our interest in the creation of a Palestinian state to take steps that promote the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel."
Hamas and the more moderate Fatah have been estranged since Hamas won a sweeping election victory to take control of Gaza in 2007.
Erdogan's announcement that he would also visit the West Bank appeared aimed at soothing US anger that he would meet with militant Hamas leaders in Gaza.
Washington has stood fast in its support of Abbas' Palestinian Authority as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Since Secretary of State John Kerry took office in February there has been a renewed effort by Washington to galvanize international efforts to kick-start the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks stalled since late 2010.
Kerry is returning to the Middle East region next week and is expected to make his fourth visit to Israel in three months.
The Turkish prime minister also insisted that "Israel has to withdraw to the '67 borders" to mark the outlines of a future Palestinian state and demonstrate that it truly believes in a two-state solution.
"As long as Israel does not accept Palestine as a state, there is not much to talk about in terms of trying to achieve peace," he said, adding: "I hope that common sense prevails and this problem in the Middle East is resolved."
"The process of unity between Fatah and Hamas, this has to be achieved," Erdogan told a Washington think tank during a visit to the United States.
"If this reconciliation is not achieved, then I don't believe that a solution or result will come out of the Israeli-Palestinian discussions."
And he revealed he had told Tony Blair, the special envoy for the Quartet of nations shepherding the talks, that "Hamas has to be around the table for peace to emerge in the Middle East."
He was speaking after he met on Thursday with US President Barack Obama and confirmed that he plans to visit the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip as well as Fatah's West Bank stronghold next month despite US opposition.
The dual stops mean Erdogan would meet with the Hamas rulers of Gaza as well as with President Mahmoud Abbas, likely in Ramallah.
"Turkey, I think there is a lot that we can do because we can talk to Hamas, we can talk to Fatah ... We want them to get together, to agree to each other," Erdogan told the Brookings Institution, speaking through a translator.
If a reconciliation between the two Palestinian sides were reached "I think that the talks with Israel would be moving forward more swiftly," he added.
Washington has urged Erdogan to postpone any visit to the Gaza Strip, saying it would be a "distraction" from its efforts to revive the moribund Middle East peace process.
"As we've said consistently, we oppose engagement with Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization which remains a destabilizing force in Gaza and the region," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
"We urge all parties who share our interest in the creation of a Palestinian state to take steps that promote the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel."
Hamas and the more moderate Fatah have been estranged since Hamas won a sweeping election victory to take control of Gaza in 2007.
Erdogan's announcement that he would also visit the West Bank appeared aimed at soothing US anger that he would meet with militant Hamas leaders in Gaza.
Washington has stood fast in its support of Abbas' Palestinian Authority as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Since Secretary of State John Kerry took office in February there has been a renewed effort by Washington to galvanize international efforts to kick-start the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks stalled since late 2010.
Kerry is returning to the Middle East region next week and is expected to make his fourth visit to Israel in three months.
The Turkish prime minister also insisted that "Israel has to withdraw to the '67 borders" to mark the outlines of a future Palestinian state and demonstrate that it truly believes in a two-state solution.
"As long as Israel does not accept Palestine as a state, there is not much to talk about in terms of trying to achieve peace," he said, adding: "I hope that common sense prevails and this problem in the Middle East is resolved."
16 may 2013
Captive Abbas Sayyed: Arab Peace Initiative is worse than Balfour Declaration
Captive leader Abbas Al-Sayyed, head of the leadership of Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails, stressed that the prisoners are in permanent conflict with the Israeli occupation inside its jails.
In an interview with the Ahrar center for Prisoners studies and human rights on the occasion of the twelfth anniversary of his arrest, Al-Sayyed said "We are constantly working on improving the prisoners' living conditions."
He considered that the Arab Peace Initiative is worse than the Balfour Declaration, and that the Arab Peace Initiative Follow-up Committee has recently encouraged the abuses and arrogance of the occupation by giving it new waivers.
The Palestinian prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment denounced the intentions to resume the negotiations, which have provided nothing for the Palestinian people.
Concerning the reconciliation, Al-Sayyed called for ending the division and achieving the reconciliation on the basis of a program that respects and practices all forms of struggle.
In an interview with the Ahrar center for Prisoners studies and human rights on the occasion of the twelfth anniversary of his arrest, Al-Sayyed said "We are constantly working on improving the prisoners' living conditions."
He considered that the Arab Peace Initiative is worse than the Balfour Declaration, and that the Arab Peace Initiative Follow-up Committee has recently encouraged the abuses and arrogance of the occupation by giving it new waivers.
The Palestinian prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment denounced the intentions to resume the negotiations, which have provided nothing for the Palestinian people.
Concerning the reconciliation, Al-Sayyed called for ending the division and achieving the reconciliation on the basis of a program that respects and practices all forms of struggle.
Meshaal renews rejection of a two-state solution
Khaled Mashaal, head of the political bureau of Hamas movement, confirmed his movement's adherence to resistance in confronting the occupation and liberating Palestine.
Meshaal's remarks came during an exclusive interview with the American Foreign Policy magazine, through which he stressed on Hamas's rejection of the two-state solution and criticized the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Khaled Meshaal said that Hamas will continue the armed struggle as an option to liberate the land, while Fatah movement has chosen to continue its diplomatic efforts.
Meshaal renewed Hamas's rejection of a two-state solution, stressing that his movement is not against the Israelis because they hold a different belief, but it struggles against the occupation of its land.
"Palestinians are suffering from the settlement. They are suffering in the detention camps and in the prisons of the occupation," Meshaal said "[We aim] to stop the suffering of our people in Jerusalem as they are suffering from the judaization of the city ... We want real peace that would regain the rights of our people."
The Palestinian leader has also criticized the visit of U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying that "Kerry does not have a new project for peace."
"Kerry does not have a serious project or vision. The international community should focus on the real problem here, which is that Israel occupies the land and commits most brutal kinds of murders."
Concerning the Syrian conflict, the Hamas leader said that the Assad regime took the wrong option and was wrong about the vision towards the conflict, not only towards the internal conflict in Syria but towards the whole Arab Spring
"People aspiring for democracy and freedom should have been dealt with through political arrangement to meet their rightful aspirations. This would have reinforced the power of the state and bonds between the people and their leadership and it would have been for the best interest of the country," Meshaal said.
He revealed to the American Magazine that his movement had presented Assad with a seven-point program for defusing the crisis; however Assad ignored Hamas's recommendations.
Meshaal's remarks came during an exclusive interview with the American Foreign Policy magazine, through which he stressed on Hamas's rejection of the two-state solution and criticized the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Khaled Meshaal said that Hamas will continue the armed struggle as an option to liberate the land, while Fatah movement has chosen to continue its diplomatic efforts.
Meshaal renewed Hamas's rejection of a two-state solution, stressing that his movement is not against the Israelis because they hold a different belief, but it struggles against the occupation of its land.
"Palestinians are suffering from the settlement. They are suffering in the detention camps and in the prisons of the occupation," Meshaal said "[We aim] to stop the suffering of our people in Jerusalem as they are suffering from the judaization of the city ... We want real peace that would regain the rights of our people."
The Palestinian leader has also criticized the visit of U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying that "Kerry does not have a new project for peace."
"Kerry does not have a serious project or vision. The international community should focus on the real problem here, which is that Israel occupies the land and commits most brutal kinds of murders."
Concerning the Syrian conflict, the Hamas leader said that the Assad regime took the wrong option and was wrong about the vision towards the conflict, not only towards the internal conflict in Syria but towards the whole Arab Spring
"People aspiring for democracy and freedom should have been dealt with through political arrangement to meet their rightful aspirations. This would have reinforced the power of the state and bonds between the people and their leadership and it would have been for the best interest of the country," Meshaal said.
He revealed to the American Magazine that his movement had presented Assad with a seven-point program for defusing the crisis; however Assad ignored Hamas's recommendations.
15 may 2013
Right Of Return Coalition calls For Unity, Rejects Arab Initiative
The International Palestinian Right of Return Coalition issued a press release marking the 65th anniversary of the Nakba of 1948, and called on all Palestinian factions to achieve unity and to remain steadfast without abandoning the legitimate Palestinian rights, topped by the Right of Return of the refugees to their homeland, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The coalition, that includes twenty institutions and rights groups, said “as the Palestinians mark the Nakba day, when Israeli armed forces displaced hundreds of villages and towns displacing an attire population before Israeli was established in the historic land of Palestine in 1948, the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank must denounce any attempt to void the Right of Return.”
It added that the leadership must denounce the Arab League for suggesting land swap with Israel, and for sending a delegation to Washington to discuss the issue, and stated that the internationally guaranteed Palestinian rights of Return and independence are nonnegotiable.
The coalition stated that the Arab League and its Arab Peace Initiative must quit granting Israel free concessions, must withdraw their initiative, and focus their efforts on supporting the resistance and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people facing the ongoing Israeli occupation and aggression.
It further called on all Palestinian factions to reject all attempts that aim at forcing the Palestinians to abandon their rights, especially their rights in the historic land of Palestine, and their rights to return to their homeland, to their cities, villages and towns that were destroyed and depopulated by the Israeli forces.
“Arab leaders must understand that without the Right of Return, without justice, there will never be peace in the region”, the Coalition said, “The refugees cause is an essential cause that cannot be compromised or abandoned”.
The coalition further called for the protection of the Palestinian refugees wherever they are, especially in Syria amidst the ongoing clashes in the country, and to refrain from using the refugees in Syria as a tool in the ongoing war in the country.
---- ---- ---- ----
“Palestinian refugees are the indigenous inhabitants of Palestine, the majority of whom were dispossessed, were forced to run away or were expelled when the state of Israel was created in 1948.
This dispossession and expulsion has continued since with the second largest such event in Palestine taking place during the 1967 war, which Israel launched on its Arab neighbors and which resulted in the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.”
“Palestinian refugees generally fall into three main groups: Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948, internally displaced Palestinians who remained within the areas that became the state of Israel, and Palestinian refugees displaced in 1967 from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. For the past 58 years, Israel has continued to deny Palestinian refugees their right to return to their ancestral towns, villages and homes.”
The coalition, that includes twenty institutions and rights groups, said “as the Palestinians mark the Nakba day, when Israeli armed forces displaced hundreds of villages and towns displacing an attire population before Israeli was established in the historic land of Palestine in 1948, the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank must denounce any attempt to void the Right of Return.”
It added that the leadership must denounce the Arab League for suggesting land swap with Israel, and for sending a delegation to Washington to discuss the issue, and stated that the internationally guaranteed Palestinian rights of Return and independence are nonnegotiable.
The coalition stated that the Arab League and its Arab Peace Initiative must quit granting Israel free concessions, must withdraw their initiative, and focus their efforts on supporting the resistance and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people facing the ongoing Israeli occupation and aggression.
It further called on all Palestinian factions to reject all attempts that aim at forcing the Palestinians to abandon their rights, especially their rights in the historic land of Palestine, and their rights to return to their homeland, to their cities, villages and towns that were destroyed and depopulated by the Israeli forces.
“Arab leaders must understand that without the Right of Return, without justice, there will never be peace in the region”, the Coalition said, “The refugees cause is an essential cause that cannot be compromised or abandoned”.
The coalition further called for the protection of the Palestinian refugees wherever they are, especially in Syria amidst the ongoing clashes in the country, and to refrain from using the refugees in Syria as a tool in the ongoing war in the country.
---- ---- ---- ----
“Palestinian refugees are the indigenous inhabitants of Palestine, the majority of whom were dispossessed, were forced to run away or were expelled when the state of Israel was created in 1948.
This dispossession and expulsion has continued since with the second largest such event in Palestine taking place during the 1967 war, which Israel launched on its Arab neighbors and which resulted in the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.”
“Palestinian refugees generally fall into three main groups: Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948, internally displaced Palestinians who remained within the areas that became the state of Israel, and Palestinian refugees displaced in 1967 from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. For the past 58 years, Israel has continued to deny Palestinian refugees their right to return to their ancestral towns, villages and homes.”
12 may 2013
Abbas meets Israeli opposition leader
PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas met Israel's opposition leader and the head of Labor party Shelly Yachimovich in Ramallah on Sunday, Hebrew media sources reported.
The sources said that the two discussed peace and security conditions in the region and prospects for reinvigorating the negotiations process.
The Hebrew radio said on its website that Yachimovich asked Abbas to return to negotiations and respond to the US efforts in this respect.
The radio quoted Yachimovich as saying that she had affirmed to Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu that the opposition would support any step toward concluding a peace deal with the Palestinians.
The sources said that the two discussed peace and security conditions in the region and prospects for reinvigorating the negotiations process.
The Hebrew radio said on its website that Yachimovich asked Abbas to return to negotiations and respond to the US efforts in this respect.
The radio quoted Yachimovich as saying that she had affirmed to Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu that the opposition would support any step toward concluding a peace deal with the Palestinians.
Quartet Urges Israel to Respect Religious Freedom
The International Quartet Sunday urged Israel to respect worshipers’ right to practice their religion and to freely access their religious sites, said a press release. Quartet Representative Tony Blair said, “I urge Israel to respect and guarantee free access for believers from all religions to their respective holy places for worship.'
He expressed concern over the recent tension and violence during Easter and in al-Aqsa Mosque.
'I am concerned over the rising tension in the holy places in Jerusalem and the scenes of violence that we witnessed during Easter,' he said.
On Israel's plan to build 296 new units in the illegal settlement of Beit El settlement, Blair said: 'The position of the international community on settlements is clear.'
“This decision constitutes an obstacle to peace. I call on all parties to exert maximum restraint and create an atmosphere that would allow the resumption of the peace talks,' he said.
He expressed concern over the recent tension and violence during Easter and in al-Aqsa Mosque.
'I am concerned over the rising tension in the holy places in Jerusalem and the scenes of violence that we witnessed during Easter,' he said.
On Israel's plan to build 296 new units in the illegal settlement of Beit El settlement, Blair said: 'The position of the international community on settlements is clear.'
“This decision constitutes an obstacle to peace. I call on all parties to exert maximum restraint and create an atmosphere that would allow the resumption of the peace talks,' he said.