17 july 2013
US Secretary of State John Kerry meets the Arab League Peace Initiative in Amman on July 17
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that six visits in as many months were bearing fruit in narrowing gaps between Israel and the PLO on resuming peace talks.
Kerry met in neighboring Jordan with President Mahmoud Abbas into the early hours before fresh talks on Wednesday that were joined by other Arab delegates.
The US envoy, who has made the resumption of Middle East peace talks after a three-year break a priority, even at the expense of raising eyebrows among US Asian allies, said the goal was getting nearer.
"Through hard and deliberate work, we have been able to narrow those gaps very significantly," Kerry told a press conference.
"We continue to get closer and I continue to be hopeful that the two sides will come to sit at the same table," he added.
Kerry acknowledged that differences remained between the two sides, despite his dogged shuttle diplomacy which saw him hold hours of talks with both Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his last visit last month.
"There is still some language that needs to be worked out," he said.
"I would caution everybody to resist the temptation to speculate.
"The easiest bet has always been on predicting impasse."
The PLO insists it they will not return to the negotiating table until Israel agrees to accept as a baseline the lines that existed before the 1967 Middle East war, when it occupied the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
It says that Israel needs to freeze all settlement construction in the occupied lands, including in East Jerusalem, which it annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
Israel says such calls are "preconditions" that it will not accept, although they flow from international law and prior peace talks.
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi and Gulf Arab envoys, who were also in the Jordanian capital, gave strong backing to Kerry's peace push.
"The Arab delegates believe Kerry's ideas... constitute a good ground and suitable environment for restarting the negotiations," a statement said.
"The delegates... insisted that any future deal must be based on a two-state solution and through establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with a limited exchange of lands in the same value and size."
The new, more right-leaning, ruling coalition formed by the Israeli premier earlier this year has refused to countenance any return to the 1967 lines.
Kerry and Abbas met into the early hours of Wednesday, huddling for some five hours after the iftar feast that marks the end of the daytime fast observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
Direct peace talks between Israel and the PLO have been broken off for three years over persistent Jewish settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian land, despite mounting international reaction, particularly from the European Union.
A Palestinian official, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP things were moving and Kerry was "determined" to announce a resumption of talks before he leaves the region at the end of the week.
"There has been progress in meetings with Kerry after he presented his initiative to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas," the high-ranking official said.
"The US secretary of state is determined to announce, before he leaves on Friday, a restart of negotiations," he added.
But State Department officials have remained tight-lipped on the substance of the talks in line with what Kerry has dubbed his "quiet strategy".
Kerry's visit comes amid Palestinian satisfaction, but Israeli anger, over new European Union guidelines barring the 28-member bloc from funding projects in Jewish settlements in Palestine.
Israeli officials said the EU move could prove a stumbling block to Kerry's efforts, charging that it would encourage Palestinians to insist there could no return to talks without Israeli agreement to the 1967 lines as their basis.
And indeed there are no immediate plans for Kerry to visit Israel and meet Netanyahu, unlike previous trips when he has shuttled back and forth between Amman and Jerusalem.
In comments to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag released on Wednesday, Netanyahu said the EU policy marked an "attempt to forcibly determine Israel's borders through economic pressure instead of through negotiations".
He said such a move was wrong, adding that "it hardens the Palestinian position and leads Israel to lose faith in Europe's neutrality".
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that six visits in as many months were bearing fruit in narrowing gaps between Israel and the PLO on resuming peace talks.
Kerry met in neighboring Jordan with President Mahmoud Abbas into the early hours before fresh talks on Wednesday that were joined by other Arab delegates.
The US envoy, who has made the resumption of Middle East peace talks after a three-year break a priority, even at the expense of raising eyebrows among US Asian allies, said the goal was getting nearer.
"Through hard and deliberate work, we have been able to narrow those gaps very significantly," Kerry told a press conference.
"We continue to get closer and I continue to be hopeful that the two sides will come to sit at the same table," he added.
Kerry acknowledged that differences remained between the two sides, despite his dogged shuttle diplomacy which saw him hold hours of talks with both Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his last visit last month.
"There is still some language that needs to be worked out," he said.
"I would caution everybody to resist the temptation to speculate.
"The easiest bet has always been on predicting impasse."
The PLO insists it they will not return to the negotiating table until Israel agrees to accept as a baseline the lines that existed before the 1967 Middle East war, when it occupied the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
It says that Israel needs to freeze all settlement construction in the occupied lands, including in East Jerusalem, which it annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
Israel says such calls are "preconditions" that it will not accept, although they flow from international law and prior peace talks.
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi and Gulf Arab envoys, who were also in the Jordanian capital, gave strong backing to Kerry's peace push.
"The Arab delegates believe Kerry's ideas... constitute a good ground and suitable environment for restarting the negotiations," a statement said.
"The delegates... insisted that any future deal must be based on a two-state solution and through establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with a limited exchange of lands in the same value and size."
The new, more right-leaning, ruling coalition formed by the Israeli premier earlier this year has refused to countenance any return to the 1967 lines.
Kerry and Abbas met into the early hours of Wednesday, huddling for some five hours after the iftar feast that marks the end of the daytime fast observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.
Direct peace talks between Israel and the PLO have been broken off for three years over persistent Jewish settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian land, despite mounting international reaction, particularly from the European Union.
A Palestinian official, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP things were moving and Kerry was "determined" to announce a resumption of talks before he leaves the region at the end of the week.
"There has been progress in meetings with Kerry after he presented his initiative to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas," the high-ranking official said.
"The US secretary of state is determined to announce, before he leaves on Friday, a restart of negotiations," he added.
But State Department officials have remained tight-lipped on the substance of the talks in line with what Kerry has dubbed his "quiet strategy".
Kerry's visit comes amid Palestinian satisfaction, but Israeli anger, over new European Union guidelines barring the 28-member bloc from funding projects in Jewish settlements in Palestine.
Israeli officials said the EU move could prove a stumbling block to Kerry's efforts, charging that it would encourage Palestinians to insist there could no return to talks without Israeli agreement to the 1967 lines as their basis.
And indeed there are no immediate plans for Kerry to visit Israel and meet Netanyahu, unlike previous trips when he has shuttled back and forth between Amman and Jerusalem.
In comments to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag released on Wednesday, Netanyahu said the EU policy marked an "attempt to forcibly determine Israel's borders through economic pressure instead of through negotiations".
He said such a move was wrong, adding that "it hardens the Palestinian position and leads Israel to lose faith in Europe's neutrality".
Laborers work on a housing construction site in the Israeli settlement of Har Homa in al-Quds.
The European Union (EU) has issued a directive requiring Israel to acknowledge the occupation of settlements in the West Bank, Golan Heights and East Jerusalem (al-Quds).
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the move will forbid the issuance of grants, funding, prizes or scholarships unless a settlement exclusion clause is included.
The directive is reportedly part of the 2014-20 financial frameworks which incorporate all sectors of cooperation between the EU and Israel, including economics, science, culture, sports and academia.
In reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We will not accept any external diktats about our borders.”
After the release of the statement, an emergency meeting was organized in the office of the prime minister where Ze'ev Elkin, Israel's rightwing deputy foreign minister, and other ministers called for a strict reaction, an ultimatum to Europe and the suspension of all relations with the EU.
It was finally decided that Netanyahu contact EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton to ask her to delay the official announcement of the decision.
A senior Israeli foreign ministry official said that Netanyahu would have told Ashton that in case of the promulgation of the directive he would face internal pressure not to give any concessions to the Palestinian side, driving peace talks to impasse.
The Tel Aviv regime continues expanding its illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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.
On June 26, Israel approved final plans to construct nearly 70 new settler units in East al-Quds.
The units will be built in Har Homa, an illegal settlement neighborhood in the southern sector of the city.
The settlements are considered illegal by the international community because the territories were captured by Israel and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied land.
The continued expansion of the Israeli settlements has also created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
Bennett to outpost settlers: You're our answer to EU ban
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett commented on the EU's decision to ban contracts with Israel which include the disputed settlement areas while participating in a ceremony marking the 10 year anniversary of the outpost Keyda in the Benyamin region.
"You're our answer to the external voices being heard… There are countries in Europe who undertake boycotts. You're and the developments you are leading is our response to them.
The European Union (EU) has issued a directive requiring Israel to acknowledge the occupation of settlements in the West Bank, Golan Heights and East Jerusalem (al-Quds).
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the move will forbid the issuance of grants, funding, prizes or scholarships unless a settlement exclusion clause is included.
The directive is reportedly part of the 2014-20 financial frameworks which incorporate all sectors of cooperation between the EU and Israel, including economics, science, culture, sports and academia.
In reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We will not accept any external diktats about our borders.”
After the release of the statement, an emergency meeting was organized in the office of the prime minister where Ze'ev Elkin, Israel's rightwing deputy foreign minister, and other ministers called for a strict reaction, an ultimatum to Europe and the suspension of all relations with the EU.
It was finally decided that Netanyahu contact EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton to ask her to delay the official announcement of the decision.
A senior Israeli foreign ministry official said that Netanyahu would have told Ashton that in case of the promulgation of the directive he would face internal pressure not to give any concessions to the Palestinian side, driving peace talks to impasse.
The Tel Aviv regime continues expanding its illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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.
On June 26, Israel approved final plans to construct nearly 70 new settler units in East al-Quds.
The units will be built in Har Homa, an illegal settlement neighborhood in the southern sector of the city.
The settlements are considered illegal by the international community because the territories were captured by Israel and are hence subject to the Geneva Conventions, which forbid construction on occupied land.
The continued expansion of the Israeli settlements has also created a major obstacle for the efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.
Bennett to outpost settlers: You're our answer to EU ban
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett commented on the EU's decision to ban contracts with Israel which include the disputed settlement areas while participating in a ceremony marking the 10 year anniversary of the outpost Keyda in the Benyamin region.
"You're our answer to the external voices being heard… There are countries in Europe who undertake boycotts. You're and the developments you are leading is our response to them.
US Secretary of State John Kerry was Wednesday to meet Arab League officials, after dinner talks with president Mahmoud Abbas on unblocking the peace process stretched into the night.
Kerry and Abbas met for five hours in an upscale hotel in Jordan as they shared a traditional iftar dinner to break the day-long fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
"They continued the conversation they have been having for the last few months and touched on recent developments in the region," a senior State Department official said in a statement.
The two men also "discussed details of an economic plan that would help bolster the Palestinian economy" by attracting some $4 billion in private investment into the territories.
Abbas reiterated that both Palestinians and Arab nations would not abandon the right to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said.
The president will update Palestinian officials on the details of the talks on Thursday, Abu Rudeina added.
Kerry is on his sixth visit to the region as he seeks to persuade the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct negotiations frozen for almost three years.
Kerry was to outline his progress on the Middle East peace process later Wednesday when he meets a delegation from the Arab League.
His visit comes amid Israeli anger over new European Union guidelines barring the 28-member bloc from funding projects in illegal settlements.
A senior Israeli official said the EU move was likely to prove a stumbling block to Kerry's diplomatic efforts.
And indeed there are no immediate plans for Kerry to visit Israel and to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unlike previous trips to the region when he has shuttled back and forth between Amman and Jerusalem.
"Some in Europe seem to be determined to undermine this effort and to undermine the chance of returning to direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks," the Israeli official told AFP.
"Why would any Palestinian leader enter negotiations when they receive what they want without negotiation?"
The Palestinians are refusing to return to negotiations without a freeze on settlement activity and Israel's acceptance of the 1967 lines as the basis for final status negotiations. Israel says it wants talks but without "pre-conditions."
There was no announcement of any resumption of talks following the dinner between Kerry and Abbas but "they agreed to stay in close contact," the senior State Department official said.
The top US diplomat was also to discuss the upheaval in Egypt and the conflict in Syria with the Arab League leaders in Jordan. The Egyptian interim government was expected to send a representative.
Kerry is also mulling a visit to a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan, which would make him the most senior member of the US administration to see first hand the tragedy of the conflict now in its third year.
Jordan is hosting some 550,000 refugees who have fled the fighting as Syrian President Bashar Assad aided by Hezbollah militants seeks to crush a rebellion against his rule.
It remained uncertain whether Kerry's visit to a camp would go ahead, due to security and logistical concerns. He is due to leave Jordan on Thursday.
Kerry was also to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday.
Kerry and Abbas met for five hours in an upscale hotel in Jordan as they shared a traditional iftar dinner to break the day-long fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
"They continued the conversation they have been having for the last few months and touched on recent developments in the region," a senior State Department official said in a statement.
The two men also "discussed details of an economic plan that would help bolster the Palestinian economy" by attracting some $4 billion in private investment into the territories.
Abbas reiterated that both Palestinians and Arab nations would not abandon the right to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said.
The president will update Palestinian officials on the details of the talks on Thursday, Abu Rudeina added.
Kerry is on his sixth visit to the region as he seeks to persuade the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct negotiations frozen for almost three years.
Kerry was to outline his progress on the Middle East peace process later Wednesday when he meets a delegation from the Arab League.
His visit comes amid Israeli anger over new European Union guidelines barring the 28-member bloc from funding projects in illegal settlements.
A senior Israeli official said the EU move was likely to prove a stumbling block to Kerry's diplomatic efforts.
And indeed there are no immediate plans for Kerry to visit Israel and to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unlike previous trips to the region when he has shuttled back and forth between Amman and Jerusalem.
"Some in Europe seem to be determined to undermine this effort and to undermine the chance of returning to direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks," the Israeli official told AFP.
"Why would any Palestinian leader enter negotiations when they receive what they want without negotiation?"
The Palestinians are refusing to return to negotiations without a freeze on settlement activity and Israel's acceptance of the 1967 lines as the basis for final status negotiations. Israel says it wants talks but without "pre-conditions."
There was no announcement of any resumption of talks following the dinner between Kerry and Abbas but "they agreed to stay in close contact," the senior State Department official said.
The top US diplomat was also to discuss the upheaval in Egypt and the conflict in Syria with the Arab League leaders in Jordan. The Egyptian interim government was expected to send a representative.
Kerry is also mulling a visit to a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan, which would make him the most senior member of the US administration to see first hand the tragedy of the conflict now in its third year.
Jordan is hosting some 550,000 refugees who have fled the fighting as Syrian President Bashar Assad aided by Hezbollah militants seeks to crush a rebellion against his rule.
It remained uncertain whether Kerry's visit to a camp would go ahead, due to security and logistical concerns. He is due to leave Jordan on Thursday.
Kerry was also to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday.
A housing construction site in the Israeli settlement of Har Homa is pictured in East Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rejected European Union guidelines barring the bloc's 28 member states from funding projects in Jewish settlements.
"We shall not accept any external dictates on our borders," his office quoted him as telling an emergency ministerial meeting. "That is an issue that will be decided only in direct negotiations between the sides."
Netanyahu convened his justice and trade ministers and his deputy foreign minister after the EU revealed the guidelines, which will affect all EU grants, prizes and funding from 2014 onwards, with no further funding available to Israeli entities beyond the 1967 Green Line.
Netanyahu said the Europeans appeared to have a distorted sense of priorities.
"I would expect those who concern themselves with peace and stability in the region to only debate such an issue after resolving problems which are slightly more urgent, such as the Syrian civil war or Iran's race to obtain nuclear weapons," the statement from his office said.
A senior Israeli official said that the EU move was likely to prove a stumbling block to US Secretary of State John Kerry's diplomatic effort to revive stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
"Some in Europe seem to be determined to undermine this effort and to undermine the chance of returning to direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks," he told AFP. "Why would any Palestinian leader enter negotiations when they receive what they want without negotiation?".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rejected European Union guidelines barring the bloc's 28 member states from funding projects in Jewish settlements.
"We shall not accept any external dictates on our borders," his office quoted him as telling an emergency ministerial meeting. "That is an issue that will be decided only in direct negotiations between the sides."
Netanyahu convened his justice and trade ministers and his deputy foreign minister after the EU revealed the guidelines, which will affect all EU grants, prizes and funding from 2014 onwards, with no further funding available to Israeli entities beyond the 1967 Green Line.
Netanyahu said the Europeans appeared to have a distorted sense of priorities.
"I would expect those who concern themselves with peace and stability in the region to only debate such an issue after resolving problems which are slightly more urgent, such as the Syrian civil war or Iran's race to obtain nuclear weapons," the statement from his office said.
A senior Israeli official said that the EU move was likely to prove a stumbling block to US Secretary of State John Kerry's diplomatic effort to revive stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
"Some in Europe seem to be determined to undermine this effort and to undermine the chance of returning to direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks," he told AFP. "Why would any Palestinian leader enter negotiations when they receive what they want without negotiation?".
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) welcomes news of new EU guidelines excluding illegal Israeli settlements from EU and member state agreements, PSC said in a press statement. The EU has taken action to limit financial cooperation with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
According to press reports, the guidelines set out that cooperation and contracts between the EU, member states and Israel must explicitly exclude Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomed Sarah Colborne, stated:
"Repeated statements from the EU condemning Israel's settlement building, and restating their illegality, have simply been thrown into the wastepaper bin by Israeli officials."
Palestine Solidarity Campaign has campaigned for years for the European Union to turn their words into policy actions. A year ago last summer, thousands of our members and supporters wrote to their MEPs demanding that EU programmes stop benefiting Israeli businesses which operate illegally in occupied Palestinian territory.
For example, Ahava – an Israeli company which illegally exploits Palestinian resources – has benefited from EU research funding.
In January this year PSC members and supporters sent thousands more letters to Catherine Ashton and William Hague, pressing them to ban all financial transactions that support the illegal settlements. It appears that the EU has gone some way into meeting those demands.
For too long the European Union has been all talk and no action. We've seen countless statements condemning Israeli settlement expansion as illegal, but then continued financial cooperation at both state and EU level which has financially benefited illegal Israeli settlements, added PSC.
This guidance is a welcome step, but needs to go much further. It is essential that this is guidance is binding, rather than advisory.
Companies should be excluded from receiving EU and member state public funding if they operate in the occupied Palestinian territory – not only if they are based there. It is also contradictory to the guidelines if the EU allows continued interaction with Israeli Government ministries which are illegally sited in occupied East Jerusalem.
PSC said they will wait for the full guidance to be published and carefully study the ramifications. But on the face of it this is a very important development – the first time the EU has turned their words of censure against Israel's colonisation of Palestinian land into tangible action which goes some small way to discourage Israel from continued settlement growth.
However, more action will be needed to halt and begin to reverse Israel's colonisation of Palestinian land. PSC is calling for the British government, and the EU, to adopt a clear approach of no more 'business as usual' with Israel until it complies with international law and basic principles of human rights.
PSC concluded, companies such as the Cooperative have already taken important steps, and have a clear ethical policy of refusing to use suppliers which source from the illegal settlements. And given that both the EU and the British government repeatedly have accepted that settlements are illegal under international law, they should ban goods grown, made or packed in those settlements."
According to press reports, the guidelines set out that cooperation and contracts between the EU, member states and Israel must explicitly exclude Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomed Sarah Colborne, stated:
"Repeated statements from the EU condemning Israel's settlement building, and restating their illegality, have simply been thrown into the wastepaper bin by Israeli officials."
Palestine Solidarity Campaign has campaigned for years for the European Union to turn their words into policy actions. A year ago last summer, thousands of our members and supporters wrote to their MEPs demanding that EU programmes stop benefiting Israeli businesses which operate illegally in occupied Palestinian territory.
For example, Ahava – an Israeli company which illegally exploits Palestinian resources – has benefited from EU research funding.
In January this year PSC members and supporters sent thousands more letters to Catherine Ashton and William Hague, pressing them to ban all financial transactions that support the illegal settlements. It appears that the EU has gone some way into meeting those demands.
For too long the European Union has been all talk and no action. We've seen countless statements condemning Israeli settlement expansion as illegal, but then continued financial cooperation at both state and EU level which has financially benefited illegal Israeli settlements, added PSC.
This guidance is a welcome step, but needs to go much further. It is essential that this is guidance is binding, rather than advisory.
Companies should be excluded from receiving EU and member state public funding if they operate in the occupied Palestinian territory – not only if they are based there. It is also contradictory to the guidelines if the EU allows continued interaction with Israeli Government ministries which are illegally sited in occupied East Jerusalem.
PSC said they will wait for the full guidance to be published and carefully study the ramifications. But on the face of it this is a very important development – the first time the EU has turned their words of censure against Israel's colonisation of Palestinian land into tangible action which goes some small way to discourage Israel from continued settlement growth.
However, more action will be needed to halt and begin to reverse Israel's colonisation of Palestinian land. PSC is calling for the British government, and the EU, to adopt a clear approach of no more 'business as usual' with Israel until it complies with international law and basic principles of human rights.
PSC concluded, companies such as the Cooperative have already taken important steps, and have a clear ethical policy of refusing to use suppliers which source from the illegal settlements. And given that both the EU and the British government repeatedly have accepted that settlements are illegal under international law, they should ban goods grown, made or packed in those settlements."
Like a bucket of cold water poured on the head of a drunk, so the EU's decision reminded the power drunk government of Israeli of the reality in which we live," said Gush Shalom, the Israeli Peace Bloc. "From now on, should the government seek to sign agreements and maintain relations with the EU and its member countries, it will have to note officially that the agreement does not apply to the settlements nor to East Jerusalem."
In a press statement issued Tuesday, Gush Shalom continued, "Already for forty-six years, the State of Israel is maintaining by force of arms an occupation of the West Bank, amounting to more than seventy percent of the Israel's total history - yet nobody regards these territories as part of Israel (nor are they such under Israel's own laws). For forty-six years, successive governments are grabbing Palestinian land and constructing settlements on it, devoting an enormous part of the country's resources to this enterprise – yet nobody in the world accepts these accomplished facts. For forty-six years, the State of Israel claims East Jerusalem as part of its capital city - and nobody in the world recognizes it as such (and Israel itself treats the inhabitants of East Jerusalem as an occupied population)."
"The EU has started to confront the government of Israel – and every citizen of Israel - with a road sign that cannot be ignored. One path leads to peace with our Palestinian neighbors and the Arab countries, and to enjoying international esteem and sympathy. The other path - to war and more war, to being an international pariah. The time to choose between these two paths is running out," Gush Shalom concluded.
In a press statement issued Tuesday, Gush Shalom continued, "Already for forty-six years, the State of Israel is maintaining by force of arms an occupation of the West Bank, amounting to more than seventy percent of the Israel's total history - yet nobody regards these territories as part of Israel (nor are they such under Israel's own laws). For forty-six years, successive governments are grabbing Palestinian land and constructing settlements on it, devoting an enormous part of the country's resources to this enterprise – yet nobody in the world accepts these accomplished facts. For forty-six years, the State of Israel claims East Jerusalem as part of its capital city - and nobody in the world recognizes it as such (and Israel itself treats the inhabitants of East Jerusalem as an occupied population)."
"The EU has started to confront the government of Israel – and every citizen of Israel - with a road sign that cannot be ignored. One path leads to peace with our Palestinian neighbors and the Arab countries, and to enjoying international esteem and sympathy. The other path - to war and more war, to being an international pariah. The time to choose between these two paths is running out," Gush Shalom concluded.
The Israeli Higher Planning Council of the Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank is due to approve on Wednesday, a plan for the construction of 1,071 new settler housing units in six West Bank settlements, watchdog Peace Now reported on Tuesday.
Peace Now said, an initial approval was expected to be granted for plans to build 339 units at Galgal and Almog settlements in the Jordan Valley, at Kochav Yaacov and Shilo near the West Bank city of Ramallah and Kfar Adumim northeast of Jerusalem.
Another 732 units were to be given a more advanced level of approval at the West Bank's biggest settlement, Modiin Ilit, west of Ramallah, it added.
Residents of Deir Qaddis village in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate submitted an objection against the construction plan, assuring that the units are to be built on a Palestinian-owned land, yet the Planning Council rejected the appeals.
Peace Now said, an initial approval was expected to be granted for plans to build 339 units at Galgal and Almog settlements in the Jordan Valley, at Kochav Yaacov and Shilo near the West Bank city of Ramallah and Kfar Adumim northeast of Jerusalem.
Another 732 units were to be given a more advanced level of approval at the West Bank's biggest settlement, Modiin Ilit, west of Ramallah, it added.
Residents of Deir Qaddis village in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate submitted an objection against the construction plan, assuring that the units are to be built on a Palestinian-owned land, yet the Planning Council rejected the appeals.
Civil Administration to meet Wednesday to confirm the decision.
Civil Administration to approve 900 units today, with the largest portion of the plan to include 732 units in the Israeli settlement of Modi'in Ilit. Objections come primarily from neighboring town of Deir Qadis. The Civil Administration's Higher Planning Council is set to approve the construction of 900 homes today in various different parts of the West Bank. The largest portion of this plan is the building of 732 units in Modi'in Ilit, a West Bank settlement west of Ramallah, sitting 2.3 km from the Green Line.
The settlement is the largest in its region of the West Bank, with a population of 52 060 people. The nearby Palestinian village of Dir Qadis objected to the plan on the basis of a claim that the settlement building would take place on their territory. The Civil Administration have responded by saying that the building will not be built on "private land", according to Ha'aretz.
The plan is to be put in place in a meeting on Wednesday. There are number of instances of retroactive approval for settlement building which previously had been rejected which will be taking place today.
Other planned building today includes the building of 17 homes in Shiloh, the construction of which had been stopped previously by the High Court of Justice. Kokhav Yaakov, near Ramallah, will also have 35 units built.
Palestinian residents of Deir Qaddis village, near Ramallah, filed various appeals against the plan, especially as it includes constructions on privately owned lands. Israel rejected the appeals.
It is worth mentioning that the Construction and Planning Committee intends to approve more units in smaller Jewish settlements in the West Bank, on Thursday.
Abdul-Hady Hantash, a Palestinian expert in Jewish settlements, stated that Israel is just wasting time, and is acting on foiling international efforts to resume direct peace talks.
Hantash told the Palestine News Network (PNN) that Israel is trying to convince the United States and the international community that it is interested in peace, but its actions on the ground prove the opposite.
He added that Israel’s ongoing settlement activities are direct and serious obstacles to peace in the region, as they comes in direct violation of International Law.
Civil Administration to approve 900 units today, with the largest portion of the plan to include 732 units in the Israeli settlement of Modi'in Ilit. Objections come primarily from neighboring town of Deir Qadis. The Civil Administration's Higher Planning Council is set to approve the construction of 900 homes today in various different parts of the West Bank. The largest portion of this plan is the building of 732 units in Modi'in Ilit, a West Bank settlement west of Ramallah, sitting 2.3 km from the Green Line.
The settlement is the largest in its region of the West Bank, with a population of 52 060 people. The nearby Palestinian village of Dir Qadis objected to the plan on the basis of a claim that the settlement building would take place on their territory. The Civil Administration have responded by saying that the building will not be built on "private land", according to Ha'aretz.
The plan is to be put in place in a meeting on Wednesday. There are number of instances of retroactive approval for settlement building which previously had been rejected which will be taking place today.
Other planned building today includes the building of 17 homes in Shiloh, the construction of which had been stopped previously by the High Court of Justice. Kokhav Yaakov, near Ramallah, will also have 35 units built.
Palestinian residents of Deir Qaddis village, near Ramallah, filed various appeals against the plan, especially as it includes constructions on privately owned lands. Israel rejected the appeals.
It is worth mentioning that the Construction and Planning Committee intends to approve more units in smaller Jewish settlements in the West Bank, on Thursday.
Abdul-Hady Hantash, a Palestinian expert in Jewish settlements, stated that Israel is just wasting time, and is acting on foiling international efforts to resume direct peace talks.
Hantash told the Palestine News Network (PNN) that Israel is trying to convince the United States and the international community that it is interested in peace, but its actions on the ground prove the opposite.
He added that Israel’s ongoing settlement activities are direct and serious obstacles to peace in the region, as they comes in direct violation of International Law.
16 july 2013
Israel is concerned that the European Union would start implementing the new decree that states on the prevention of its members from dealing with Israeli bodies in the West Bank territories and East Jerusalem, especially settlements.
The EU's decree warns from financing Israeli entity and providing grants and donations for scientific research, and also requires that signing any future agreements with Israel must include a term recognizing that east Jerusalem and the West Bank are not part of the State of Israel and therefore not part of the contract.
An Israeli official, identity not revealed, described this move to be "dramatic" and an "earthquake", saying that this is the first time the EU's institutions issue such firm and formal instructions.
Dr. Ashrawi Welcomes EU Directive Banning Dealings with Israeli Settlements
In response to a recent European Union binding directive banning dealings with Israeli settlements, PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi said:
"We welcome this significant move that calls for all EU projects to be conducted within pre-1967 lines and not in East Jerusalem, the West Bank or Golan Heights. This includes the prohibition of funding, cooperation and research funding, among other things, to any individual or institution in the illegal settlements."
"The EU has moved from the level of statements, declarations and denunciations to effective policy decisions and concrete steps which constitute a qualitative shift that will have a positive impact on the chances of peace. The Israeli occupation must be held to account, and Israel must comply with international and humanitarian law and the requirements for justice and peace," stressed Dr. Ashrawi.
In addition, Dr. Ashrawi met today with Right Honorable Ed Balls, the current British Labour and Co-operative MP for Morley and Outwood and the current Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, as well as British Consul General Sir Vincent Fean, and representatives from the British Consulate General in Jerusalem. They discussed the latest political developments in Palestine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's peace initiative, regional developments, as well as issues of mutual concern.
In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi said, "It is evident that the Israeli coalition government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are more committed to Israeli settlements than to peace. The agreed terms of reference – United Nations resolutions 242 and 338 and the land for peace equation, as well as signed agreements and international law – must be respected and upheld. This requires Israel to withdraw to the 1967 boundaries, cease all settlement activities and recognize East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine, in addition to releasing Palestinian prisoners, reopening Jerusalem institutions and refraining from all other violations including the siege, checkpoints and the whole system of control imposed by the military occupation of Palestine.
"It is thus Israel that holds the key to peace; it can either pursue the path of impunity, entitlement, and oppression, or it can relinquish the territories it occupies in 1967 and join the global community as an equal and not as a rogue state," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.
EU settlement directive angers Israel
Laborers work at a housing construction site in the Israeli settlement of Har Homa in al-Quds on February 27, 2013
The Israeli regime is angered by the European Union’s new directive that bans the EU's dealing with Israeli settlements built beyond 1967 borders.
Israel’s deputy foreign minister Zeev Elkin said on Tuesday that the EU decision was “very significant and worrying.”
The new measure demands Israeli authorities to guarantee that all EU funding and cooperation projects are not in al-Quds (east Jerusalem), the West Bank or Golan Heights, as the territories were captured by the Tel Aviv regime during 1967 war.
The directive is expected to take effect as of 2014.
Elkin said the decision would undermine attempts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to begin peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Reports say that the new directive was drawn up as a result of the decision by European foreign ministers last December, which stated that all agreements between the EU and Israel “must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.”
The Tel Aviv regime has increased its illegal settlement expansion following an upgrade of Palestine’s status at the UN to a non-member observer state on November 29, 2012.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal.
Last month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized Israel’s plan to build more than 1,000 new illegal units in the occupied West Bank.
Ya'alon on EU decision: Will continue same policy in Judea, Samaria
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon responded to the EU's decision to ban settlement agreements with Israel. "It is not new that many countries in the world refer to Judea and Samaria as occupied territory, and according to this they act," said Ya’alon.
"We have our policies and will continue to abide by and according to our interests," he added.
Yachimovich: Unfortunate that EU focuses on bans instead of on negotiation
Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich responded to the EU's decision to ban settlement agreements with Israel, saying that "the increasing diplomatic isolation is causing harm to the country and the market and poses a strategic threat no less than do sophisticated weapons aimed at us.
" "Nevertheless," Yachimovich added, "it is very unfortunate that instead of supporting and helping the Americans efforts to resume negotiation, the European Union focuses on sanctions and bans."
Lapid: EU decision sabotages Kerry's efforts for peace
Finance Minister Yair Lapid responded to the EU's decision to ban settlement agreements with Israel, saying "this decision is another in a long line of decisions that isolate Israel." He added that "every day that Israel does not engage in peace talks is a day in which our international status sustains more damage.
Nevertheless, this is a miserable decision, which was made in very bad timing and sabotages the efforts that US Secretary of State is putting into bringing the sides to negotiation.
EU sanctions keep Israel guessing
In a surprise last-minute move, the European Union has set forth a strong set of economic sanctions against Israel, leaving that nation both surprised and reeling.
The sanctions, stimulated by what the EU refers to as “Israeli intransigence” regarding peace talks with the Palestinians, cover all financial dealings, loans, awards, transfer of “instruments” and severely limiting economic cooperation between Israel and all EU member nations starting in 2014.
The sanctions are against any Israeli “economic activity,” not just within what has been referred to as the “occupied territories” but broad areas of Israel that had been designated for the establishment of an “Arab State” in 1949. Those territories extend in an almost contiguous line from the Lebanon border to the Red Sea.
Israel has referred to these territories as “Golan Heights, Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.” The term “Judea” alone could refer to the entire Roman province including large regions of Lebanon and Jordan.
Thus, one might question why the European Union would include such broad territories, clearly intended to offset Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demands for “defensible borders.”
The EU has gone much further than imagined, an act Israel sees as an “ambush.”
Israeli response
Israel has responded with a number of objections citing, initially that they feel the “EU attacks us because we are small,” as cited by Gil Ronen with Arutz Sheva, Israel National News.
The sanctions, to be published Friday, July 19, 2013, will prohibit all 28 European Union member states from any economic contacts with Israeli “entities” that operate outside the 1949 Armistice lines.
These territories differ greatly from the ceasefire lines of the 1967 war and include up to 25% of the territory of Israel, according to an article in Arutz Sheva.
According to that publication, the EU has made further differentiations based on the 1967 truce lines, clearly delineating territories seized as “occupied” and requiring Israel to identify any economic activity originating from those regions for exclusion.
EU officials have commented that there has been significant pressure to modify and limit the approve sanctions prior to their upcoming publication.
Syria
The decision to move against Israel falls on the eve of announcements from France and then Britain to hold back materiel support for pro-Israeli factions fighting against the Syrian government.
Germany had previously announced that no aid would be forthcoming.
The United States, although announcing, in June, that arms would be supplied, has withheld promised military aid though the Syrian government has made significant advances against rebel held enclaves.
Israel’s position
“The attack by the EU disproportionate and is likely to have no positive effect on restarting meaningful dialog over the Palestinian question. When it comes to disputed territories, the Europeans prefer to attack a small country like Israel instead of taking on more powerful states, because they are afraid of retaliation. We were only informed at the last moment,” a high ranking Israeli official said.
Israel’s position was confirmed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Ze’ev Elkin. In a statement to the press, Elkin referred to the EU directive as a “mistake” likely to undermine any progress already made. "We are not ready to sign on this clause in our agreements with the European Union."
Elkin also cited Israel’s failure to get in front of the issues that led to this confrontation which will, as he also stated, “halt all cooperation in economics” and be extremely harmful to Israel’s economy.
Palestinian response
Arutz Sheva reports that Palestinian leaders will only negotiate based on pre-1967 lines and “if Israel freezes all settlement activity in Judea and Samaria.”
Thus far, the world press has been unaware of these expanded Palestinian demands that would require Israel to not only stop all settlement activities in areas referred to as “occupied” but over wider areas now settled by up to 1.8 million Israelis.
There are already over 550,000 Israelis living in the “occupied zones,” primarily eastern Jerusalem, known as Al Quds, and the West Bank.
The EU position impacts nearly one third of Israel’s population, one third of its economic base.
All about money
The real impetus for increased pressure on Israel has been the failure of western economies and their disastrous currencies.
The real subtext for scaling back support for Israel has been seen in the strangely unreported change in America’s deficits.
During the last fiscal quarter, the United States has shown a net budget surplus for the first time in decades. Two of the last three months have yielded surpluses in excess of USD 100 billion.
The message has been clear to EU leaders, as America has drawn down its role as “policeman of the world,” the real security issue, potential economic collapse, has become less of a threat.
What is unlikely to be admitted is the simple fact that the projection of military power to secure resources, when those resources are exploited by multi-national entities, offers a very poor return.
Thus, Israel’s current dilemma is much more rooted in its role as an economic liability than in any concerns regarding human rights.
The EU's decree warns from financing Israeli entity and providing grants and donations for scientific research, and also requires that signing any future agreements with Israel must include a term recognizing that east Jerusalem and the West Bank are not part of the State of Israel and therefore not part of the contract.
An Israeli official, identity not revealed, described this move to be "dramatic" and an "earthquake", saying that this is the first time the EU's institutions issue such firm and formal instructions.
Dr. Ashrawi Welcomes EU Directive Banning Dealings with Israeli Settlements
In response to a recent European Union binding directive banning dealings with Israeli settlements, PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi said:
"We welcome this significant move that calls for all EU projects to be conducted within pre-1967 lines and not in East Jerusalem, the West Bank or Golan Heights. This includes the prohibition of funding, cooperation and research funding, among other things, to any individual or institution in the illegal settlements."
"The EU has moved from the level of statements, declarations and denunciations to effective policy decisions and concrete steps which constitute a qualitative shift that will have a positive impact on the chances of peace. The Israeli occupation must be held to account, and Israel must comply with international and humanitarian law and the requirements for justice and peace," stressed Dr. Ashrawi.
In addition, Dr. Ashrawi met today with Right Honorable Ed Balls, the current British Labour and Co-operative MP for Morley and Outwood and the current Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, as well as British Consul General Sir Vincent Fean, and representatives from the British Consulate General in Jerusalem. They discussed the latest political developments in Palestine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's peace initiative, regional developments, as well as issues of mutual concern.
In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi said, "It is evident that the Israeli coalition government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are more committed to Israeli settlements than to peace. The agreed terms of reference – United Nations resolutions 242 and 338 and the land for peace equation, as well as signed agreements and international law – must be respected and upheld. This requires Israel to withdraw to the 1967 boundaries, cease all settlement activities and recognize East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine, in addition to releasing Palestinian prisoners, reopening Jerusalem institutions and refraining from all other violations including the siege, checkpoints and the whole system of control imposed by the military occupation of Palestine.
"It is thus Israel that holds the key to peace; it can either pursue the path of impunity, entitlement, and oppression, or it can relinquish the territories it occupies in 1967 and join the global community as an equal and not as a rogue state," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.
EU settlement directive angers Israel
Laborers work at a housing construction site in the Israeli settlement of Har Homa in al-Quds on February 27, 2013
The Israeli regime is angered by the European Union’s new directive that bans the EU's dealing with Israeli settlements built beyond 1967 borders.
Israel’s deputy foreign minister Zeev Elkin said on Tuesday that the EU decision was “very significant and worrying.”
The new measure demands Israeli authorities to guarantee that all EU funding and cooperation projects are not in al-Quds (east Jerusalem), the West Bank or Golan Heights, as the territories were captured by the Tel Aviv regime during 1967 war.
The directive is expected to take effect as of 2014.
Elkin said the decision would undermine attempts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to begin peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Reports say that the new directive was drawn up as a result of the decision by European foreign ministers last December, which stated that all agreements between the EU and Israel “must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.”
The Tel Aviv regime has increased its illegal settlement expansion following an upgrade of Palestine’s status at the UN to a non-member observer state on November 29, 2012.
More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal.
Last month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized Israel’s plan to build more than 1,000 new illegal units in the occupied West Bank.
Ya'alon on EU decision: Will continue same policy in Judea, Samaria
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon responded to the EU's decision to ban settlement agreements with Israel. "It is not new that many countries in the world refer to Judea and Samaria as occupied territory, and according to this they act," said Ya’alon.
"We have our policies and will continue to abide by and according to our interests," he added.
Yachimovich: Unfortunate that EU focuses on bans instead of on negotiation
Labor Chairwoman Shelly Yachimovich responded to the EU's decision to ban settlement agreements with Israel, saying that "the increasing diplomatic isolation is causing harm to the country and the market and poses a strategic threat no less than do sophisticated weapons aimed at us.
" "Nevertheless," Yachimovich added, "it is very unfortunate that instead of supporting and helping the Americans efforts to resume negotiation, the European Union focuses on sanctions and bans."
Lapid: EU decision sabotages Kerry's efforts for peace
Finance Minister Yair Lapid responded to the EU's decision to ban settlement agreements with Israel, saying "this decision is another in a long line of decisions that isolate Israel." He added that "every day that Israel does not engage in peace talks is a day in which our international status sustains more damage.
Nevertheless, this is a miserable decision, which was made in very bad timing and sabotages the efforts that US Secretary of State is putting into bringing the sides to negotiation.
EU sanctions keep Israel guessing
In a surprise last-minute move, the European Union has set forth a strong set of economic sanctions against Israel, leaving that nation both surprised and reeling.
The sanctions, stimulated by what the EU refers to as “Israeli intransigence” regarding peace talks with the Palestinians, cover all financial dealings, loans, awards, transfer of “instruments” and severely limiting economic cooperation between Israel and all EU member nations starting in 2014.
The sanctions are against any Israeli “economic activity,” not just within what has been referred to as the “occupied territories” but broad areas of Israel that had been designated for the establishment of an “Arab State” in 1949. Those territories extend in an almost contiguous line from the Lebanon border to the Red Sea.
Israel has referred to these territories as “Golan Heights, Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.” The term “Judea” alone could refer to the entire Roman province including large regions of Lebanon and Jordan.
Thus, one might question why the European Union would include such broad territories, clearly intended to offset Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demands for “defensible borders.”
The EU has gone much further than imagined, an act Israel sees as an “ambush.”
Israeli response
Israel has responded with a number of objections citing, initially that they feel the “EU attacks us because we are small,” as cited by Gil Ronen with Arutz Sheva, Israel National News.
The sanctions, to be published Friday, July 19, 2013, will prohibit all 28 European Union member states from any economic contacts with Israeli “entities” that operate outside the 1949 Armistice lines.
These territories differ greatly from the ceasefire lines of the 1967 war and include up to 25% of the territory of Israel, according to an article in Arutz Sheva.
According to that publication, the EU has made further differentiations based on the 1967 truce lines, clearly delineating territories seized as “occupied” and requiring Israel to identify any economic activity originating from those regions for exclusion.
EU officials have commented that there has been significant pressure to modify and limit the approve sanctions prior to their upcoming publication.
Syria
The decision to move against Israel falls on the eve of announcements from France and then Britain to hold back materiel support for pro-Israeli factions fighting against the Syrian government.
Germany had previously announced that no aid would be forthcoming.
The United States, although announcing, in June, that arms would be supplied, has withheld promised military aid though the Syrian government has made significant advances against rebel held enclaves.
Israel’s position
“The attack by the EU disproportionate and is likely to have no positive effect on restarting meaningful dialog over the Palestinian question. When it comes to disputed territories, the Europeans prefer to attack a small country like Israel instead of taking on more powerful states, because they are afraid of retaliation. We were only informed at the last moment,” a high ranking Israeli official said.
Israel’s position was confirmed by Deputy Foreign Minister, Ze’ev Elkin. In a statement to the press, Elkin referred to the EU directive as a “mistake” likely to undermine any progress already made. "We are not ready to sign on this clause in our agreements with the European Union."
Elkin also cited Israel’s failure to get in front of the issues that led to this confrontation which will, as he also stated, “halt all cooperation in economics” and be extremely harmful to Israel’s economy.
Palestinian response
Arutz Sheva reports that Palestinian leaders will only negotiate based on pre-1967 lines and “if Israel freezes all settlement activity in Judea and Samaria.”
Thus far, the world press has been unaware of these expanded Palestinian demands that would require Israel to not only stop all settlement activities in areas referred to as “occupied” but over wider areas now settled by up to 1.8 million Israelis.
There are already over 550,000 Israelis living in the “occupied zones,” primarily eastern Jerusalem, known as Al Quds, and the West Bank.
The EU position impacts nearly one third of Israel’s population, one third of its economic base.
All about money
The real impetus for increased pressure on Israel has been the failure of western economies and their disastrous currencies.
The real subtext for scaling back support for Israel has been seen in the strangely unreported change in America’s deficits.
During the last fiscal quarter, the United States has shown a net budget surplus for the first time in decades. Two of the last three months have yielded surpluses in excess of USD 100 billion.
The message has been clear to EU leaders, as America has drawn down its role as “policeman of the world,” the real security issue, potential economic collapse, has become less of a threat.
What is unlikely to be admitted is the simple fact that the projection of military power to secure resources, when those resources are exploited by multi-national entities, offers a very poor return.
Thus, Israel’s current dilemma is much more rooted in its role as an economic liability than in any concerns regarding human rights.
President Mahmoud Abbas will meet US secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday in Amman, a Palestinian official close to negotiations said.
The official, who requested anonymity, said the meeting would be held at 8 p.m. and that Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat would also attend.
The Palestinians expect Kerry to propose cosmetic steps without providing final answers on a return to negotiations, the official said.
Earlier, Erekat and PA Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki had said the next stage in the negotiations process was unpredictable.
Senior PLO official Mohammad Shtayyeh said Tuesday that the Palestinians appreciated Kerry's efforts, but that Israeli policies were impeding them.
Continuous settlement building and the Israeli government's refusal to recognize a Palestinian state on 1967 borders demonstrate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not intend to reach a two-state solution, Shtayyeh told reporters after a meeting with Carter Center director
"We have told Kerry that we will return to the negotiating table if Israel proves its seriousness by agreeing to stop building in settlements and by releasing prisoners," Shtayyeh said.
"We are waiting for the results of Kerry's efforts and if they fail, our next destination will be the organizations of the United Nations," he added.
Kerry spent four days in June locked in intensive shuttle diplomacy between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership in a high-profile bid to draw the two sides back into direct negotiations after a gap of nearly three years.
Abbas is pushing Israel to freeze all settlement building activity and to publicly agree to make the lines that existed before the 1967 Middle East war the basis for peace negotiations.
Netanyahu has called for talks without "preconditions", a reference to Palestinian demands which he rejects, instead considering "good will gestures" such as the release of prisoners or a partial freeze on settlements.
Abbas said after Kerry's last visit that the secretary of state had made "useful and constructive proposals", adding he was "optimistic" about the outcome.
But he also said that Kerry's proposals "need further clarification and explanation before we can return to negotiations".
The official, who requested anonymity, said the meeting would be held at 8 p.m. and that Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat would also attend.
The Palestinians expect Kerry to propose cosmetic steps without providing final answers on a return to negotiations, the official said.
Earlier, Erekat and PA Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki had said the next stage in the negotiations process was unpredictable.
Senior PLO official Mohammad Shtayyeh said Tuesday that the Palestinians appreciated Kerry's efforts, but that Israeli policies were impeding them.
Continuous settlement building and the Israeli government's refusal to recognize a Palestinian state on 1967 borders demonstrate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not intend to reach a two-state solution, Shtayyeh told reporters after a meeting with Carter Center director
"We have told Kerry that we will return to the negotiating table if Israel proves its seriousness by agreeing to stop building in settlements and by releasing prisoners," Shtayyeh said.
"We are waiting for the results of Kerry's efforts and if they fail, our next destination will be the organizations of the United Nations," he added.
Kerry spent four days in June locked in intensive shuttle diplomacy between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership in a high-profile bid to draw the two sides back into direct negotiations after a gap of nearly three years.
Abbas is pushing Israel to freeze all settlement building activity and to publicly agree to make the lines that existed before the 1967 Middle East war the basis for peace negotiations.
Netanyahu has called for talks without "preconditions", a reference to Palestinian demands which he rejects, instead considering "good will gestures" such as the release of prisoners or a partial freeze on settlements.
Abbas said after Kerry's last visit that the secretary of state had made "useful and constructive proposals", adding he was "optimistic" about the outcome.
But he also said that Kerry's proposals "need further clarification and explanation before we can return to negotiations".
Top US diplomat John Kerry met his Jordanian counterpart Tuesday for talks focused on the turmoil in Egypt and Syria as well as his bid to unlock the Middle East peace process.
Arriving on an overnight flight from Washington, the secretary of state first held talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh before a private dinner with President Mahmoud Abbas.
On Wednesday he will meet Jordan's King Abdullah II as well as Arab League officials to "provide an update on Middle East peace," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
With violence flaring again on the streets of Cairo leaving seven dead and 261 injured, he was also expected to discuss the situation following the July 3 ouster of Mohamed Mursi by the Egyptian military.
Egypt, a powerful member of the Arab League, was expected to send someone to the Amman talks, but it was not known exactly who would represent the interim government as a new 35-member cabinet was sworn in Tuesday.
Caretaker prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi was sworn in alongside a former ambassador to Washington, Nabil Fahmy, who becomes the interim foreign minister.
As he met with his Jordanian counterpart, Kerry expressed an interest in visiting one of the refugee camps in Jordan sheltering a flood of refugees from the conflict in Syria, now in its third year.
Jordan has taken in some 550,000 refugees fleeing the fighting as rebels seek to overthrow President Bashar Assad.
But the influx of so many people is putting a huge strain on the small Arab nation's already struggling economy.
Kerry told Judeh he was "happy to be back" on his sixth visit to the region.
"I think we may wind up visiting one of the refugee camps as we talk about Syria. We were just chatting about the importance of that," he added.
"We have lots of bilateral issues to discuss and of course many challenges that we face in this region," replied Judeh, saying they would discuss "the humanitarian spillover of the crisis and its effects on Jordan's economy."
Kerry's team has yet to finalize plans for any refugee camp visit.
Since he took office on Feb. 1, Kerry has made a search for a long-elusive Middle East peace deal one of the top priorities of his tenure.
But US officials have downplayed hopes that his return to the region signaled there may be an announcement on a resuming the talks, frozen since September 2010.
And there were no immediate plans for Kerry to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unlike previous trips where he has shuttled between Amman and Jerusalem.
Last month the secretary of state spent four days locked in intensive diplomacy seeking to coax the two sides to end a nearly three-year stalemate, and said "with a little more work, the start of final status negotiations could be within reach".
He left behind a team of senior US officials who have been working to remove the last hurdles to fresh talks meeting with officials from both sides.
But the crises in Syria and Egypt once again appear to be crowding out his agenda.
"Because the Syrian Opposition Coalition elections just took place and there's new Syrian opposition leadership, there is likely to be a discussion on Syria as well, to take advantage of the fact that a variety of Arab foreign ministers will be with him in Amman," a senior US official told reporters.
Plans to bring together the opposition and the Syrian regime in a peace conference have stalled, and it is now unlikely the so-called Geneva II talks will happen before September.
The political convulsion in Egypt is fueling concerns of destabilization in one of the Arab world's key members.
Overnight clashes in the heart of Cairo and in adjacent Giza were the first to rock the Egyptian capital since dozens of Mursi supporters were shot dead outside an elite army barracks early last week.
They came just hours after Under Secretary of State Bill Burns -- the most senior US official to visit since the army toppled the elected Islamist president -- appealed for an end to the violence rocking the Arab world's most populous nation.
Arriving on an overnight flight from Washington, the secretary of state first held talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh before a private dinner with President Mahmoud Abbas.
On Wednesday he will meet Jordan's King Abdullah II as well as Arab League officials to "provide an update on Middle East peace," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
With violence flaring again on the streets of Cairo leaving seven dead and 261 injured, he was also expected to discuss the situation following the July 3 ouster of Mohamed Mursi by the Egyptian military.
Egypt, a powerful member of the Arab League, was expected to send someone to the Amman talks, but it was not known exactly who would represent the interim government as a new 35-member cabinet was sworn in Tuesday.
Caretaker prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi was sworn in alongside a former ambassador to Washington, Nabil Fahmy, who becomes the interim foreign minister.
As he met with his Jordanian counterpart, Kerry expressed an interest in visiting one of the refugee camps in Jordan sheltering a flood of refugees from the conflict in Syria, now in its third year.
Jordan has taken in some 550,000 refugees fleeing the fighting as rebels seek to overthrow President Bashar Assad.
But the influx of so many people is putting a huge strain on the small Arab nation's already struggling economy.
Kerry told Judeh he was "happy to be back" on his sixth visit to the region.
"I think we may wind up visiting one of the refugee camps as we talk about Syria. We were just chatting about the importance of that," he added.
"We have lots of bilateral issues to discuss and of course many challenges that we face in this region," replied Judeh, saying they would discuss "the humanitarian spillover of the crisis and its effects on Jordan's economy."
Kerry's team has yet to finalize plans for any refugee camp visit.
Since he took office on Feb. 1, Kerry has made a search for a long-elusive Middle East peace deal one of the top priorities of his tenure.
But US officials have downplayed hopes that his return to the region signaled there may be an announcement on a resuming the talks, frozen since September 2010.
And there were no immediate plans for Kerry to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unlike previous trips where he has shuttled between Amman and Jerusalem.
Last month the secretary of state spent four days locked in intensive diplomacy seeking to coax the two sides to end a nearly three-year stalemate, and said "with a little more work, the start of final status negotiations could be within reach".
He left behind a team of senior US officials who have been working to remove the last hurdles to fresh talks meeting with officials from both sides.
But the crises in Syria and Egypt once again appear to be crowding out his agenda.
"Because the Syrian Opposition Coalition elections just took place and there's new Syrian opposition leadership, there is likely to be a discussion on Syria as well, to take advantage of the fact that a variety of Arab foreign ministers will be with him in Amman," a senior US official told reporters.
Plans to bring together the opposition and the Syrian regime in a peace conference have stalled, and it is now unlikely the so-called Geneva II talks will happen before September.
The political convulsion in Egypt is fueling concerns of destabilization in one of the Arab world's key members.
Overnight clashes in the heart of Cairo and in adjacent Giza were the first to rock the Egyptian capital since dozens of Mursi supporters were shot dead outside an elite army barracks early last week.
They came just hours after Under Secretary of State Bill Burns -- the most senior US official to visit since the army toppled the elected Islamist president -- appealed for an end to the violence rocking the Arab world's most populous nation.
Dani Dayan
The General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to the United States Monday expressed “great concern” with the House Republicans Conference’s reception of Dani Dayan, the former head of the Yesha Council of Settlements in the occupied West Bank. It said in a statement that Dayan’s visit was part of his efforts of a campaign to launch a “diplomatic arm” for the illegal settlements and therefore he “should not be entertained.”
During his visit to Washington, Dayan met with Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen the chairwoman of the committee's Middle East subcommittee; and Rep. Pete Roskam.
The House Republican Conference reportedly described its leaders’ attitude toward Dayan’s ideology as “sympathetic.”
“Such description is very troubling for anyone concerned with a constructive role for the US in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said the PLO.
“Dayan’s visit is especially concerning given its brazen attempt to undermine (US) Secretary (of State John) Kerry’s efforts to revive the political process. Entertaining a zealous opponent of the two-state solution like Dayan in the halls of Congress and in the media sends the wrong message about US commitment to peace in the region,” said the statement.
The PLO’s General Delegation urged American leaders “to take a firm stand, at this crucial time, against those who are obstructing the political process.”
The General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to the United States Monday expressed “great concern” with the House Republicans Conference’s reception of Dani Dayan, the former head of the Yesha Council of Settlements in the occupied West Bank. It said in a statement that Dayan’s visit was part of his efforts of a campaign to launch a “diplomatic arm” for the illegal settlements and therefore he “should not be entertained.”
During his visit to Washington, Dayan met with Rep. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen the chairwoman of the committee's Middle East subcommittee; and Rep. Pete Roskam.
The House Republican Conference reportedly described its leaders’ attitude toward Dayan’s ideology as “sympathetic.”
“Such description is very troubling for anyone concerned with a constructive role for the US in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said the PLO.
“Dayan’s visit is especially concerning given its brazen attempt to undermine (US) Secretary (of State John) Kerry’s efforts to revive the political process. Entertaining a zealous opponent of the two-state solution like Dayan in the halls of Congress and in the media sends the wrong message about US commitment to peace in the region,” said the statement.
The PLO’s General Delegation urged American leaders “to take a firm stand, at this crucial time, against those who are obstructing the political process.”
Dr. Youssef Rizqa, Political Adviser to the Palestinian Prime Minister, warned of Kerry's next visit to the region especially that it comes within an appropriate atmosphere for the US vision of the “peace process.” Kerry is expected to meet with PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Arab League delegation in Amman on Wednesday in order to discuss the US initiative.
Rizqa stated that Kerry's sixth visit to the region aims to take advantage of the recent Arab developments to promote and attract more support for the US initiative in light the Arab public opinion's concern for the Egyptian crisis.
He pointed out to the US and Israeli efforts to exploit these historical moments for their interests.
He confirmed that Kerry's initiative can never be accepted by the Palestinian side, but he warned of its timing and circumstances that could be exploited for the Israeli interests.
The Palestinian people, who refuse to give up the national constants, have to stand firmly against such schemes.
Rizqa stated that Kerry's sixth visit to the region aims to take advantage of the recent Arab developments to promote and attract more support for the US initiative in light the Arab public opinion's concern for the Egyptian crisis.
He pointed out to the US and Israeli efforts to exploit these historical moments for their interests.
He confirmed that Kerry's initiative can never be accepted by the Palestinian side, but he warned of its timing and circumstances that could be exploited for the Israeli interests.
The Palestinian people, who refuse to give up the national constants, have to stand firmly against such schemes.
Hundreds have protested outside the PLO headquarters Monday condemning the meeting held last week in Ramallah between Fatah and PA leaders and representatives of the Israeli Likud and Shas parties. Palestinian trade unions and national leaders have called earlier to protest against such meeting outside PLO headquarters in Ramallah.
The protesters have accused PLO secretary general, Yasser Abed Rabbo, and former prisoners minister Ashraf Ajrami of treason after attending a meeting in the presence of leaders of Israeli ruling parties.
For his part, Jamal al-Tawil, a leader in Hamas movement, said during the demonstration that last week meeting constitutes a violation of the Palestinian people's will and rights.
During the meeting Yasser Abed Rabbo wished a speedy recovery for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Israel's Shas party who has called more than once for killing Palestinian babies, al-Tawil said.
In a meeting last week set up by the Geneva Initiative, members of the ruling right-wing Likud Party and Shas party met with PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo and several other senior PA officials in Ramallah.
The protesters have accused PLO secretary general, Yasser Abed Rabbo, and former prisoners minister Ashraf Ajrami of treason after attending a meeting in the presence of leaders of Israeli ruling parties.
For his part, Jamal al-Tawil, a leader in Hamas movement, said during the demonstration that last week meeting constitutes a violation of the Palestinian people's will and rights.
During the meeting Yasser Abed Rabbo wished a speedy recovery for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Israel's Shas party who has called more than once for killing Palestinian babies, al-Tawil said.
In a meeting last week set up by the Geneva Initiative, members of the ruling right-wing Likud Party and Shas party met with PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo and several other senior PA officials in Ramallah.
An Israeli political source stated that, during his latest visit to the region, U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, told Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, that the United States would cut all economic aid to the P.A. should the Palestinians insist on what he called “preconditions” for the resumption of direct peace talks.
Israeli Walla News Agency quoted the unnamed source stating that Kerry threatened Abbas during their Ramallah meeting, when he visited the region late last month, that the White House would cut all aid, and would hold Abbas responsible for the failure of peace talks.
Kerry claimed that Abbas insists on “preconditions” such as the release of Palestinian political prisoners, freezing Israeli settlement activities, and the Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders.
Just before leaving the region, Kerry told reporters “he is glad for achieving some progress”, and promised to continue close talks to ensure the resumption of negotiations.
The Israeli source told Walla that Israel is not willing to “continue to pay the price to convince Abbas to resume direct talks”, and claimed that Israel even offered to agree to a time frame for talks on vital issues such as borders, the refugees, Jerusalem and security arrangements.
However, he also reiterated Israel’s demand that the Palestinian must recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”, and added that Abbas rejected the “offer”.
Palestinian sources said that the Israeli statements are just test strips that carry no significance, as the Palestinian Authority cannot resume direct talks as long as Israeli continues its violations and its illegal settlement activities.
Abbas To Meet Kerry In Jordan
A Palestinian official told the France Press News Agency that President Mahmoud Abbas plans to meet U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, this coming Wednesday in Amman – Jordan.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that Kerry would be touring in the Middle East to meet Arab League Secretary-General, Nabil Al-Arabi, President Abbas, and a number of Arab Foreign Ministers.
Kerry also intends to head to occupied Jerusalem for a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinian official said that the Palestinian Authority, and Arab countries, “plan to sit with Kerry and see if he carries any new initiatives or ideas”.
Kerry visited the region in last month and held talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab officials, but could not jumpstart direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Kerry repeatedly said that the United States is committed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State in the occupied territories”, the official said, “But he was never able to convince Israel to recognize the Palestinian right to establish an independent state in the territories Israel occupied in 1967, including occupied East Jerusalem”.
He added that the Palestinian Authority is not placing preconditions, but is outlining the legitimate Palestinian rights of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the release of the detainees, especially those held before the First Oslo Agreement, the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees, and halting all settlement activities.
Kerry and Abbas will possibly hold more than one meeting during the upcoming visit.
Israeli Walla News Agency quoted the unnamed source stating that Kerry threatened Abbas during their Ramallah meeting, when he visited the region late last month, that the White House would cut all aid, and would hold Abbas responsible for the failure of peace talks.
Kerry claimed that Abbas insists on “preconditions” such as the release of Palestinian political prisoners, freezing Israeli settlement activities, and the Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders.
Just before leaving the region, Kerry told reporters “he is glad for achieving some progress”, and promised to continue close talks to ensure the resumption of negotiations.
The Israeli source told Walla that Israel is not willing to “continue to pay the price to convince Abbas to resume direct talks”, and claimed that Israel even offered to agree to a time frame for talks on vital issues such as borders, the refugees, Jerusalem and security arrangements.
However, he also reiterated Israel’s demand that the Palestinian must recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”, and added that Abbas rejected the “offer”.
Palestinian sources said that the Israeli statements are just test strips that carry no significance, as the Palestinian Authority cannot resume direct talks as long as Israeli continues its violations and its illegal settlement activities.
Abbas To Meet Kerry In Jordan
A Palestinian official told the France Press News Agency that President Mahmoud Abbas plans to meet U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, this coming Wednesday in Amman – Jordan.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that Kerry would be touring in the Middle East to meet Arab League Secretary-General, Nabil Al-Arabi, President Abbas, and a number of Arab Foreign Ministers.
Kerry also intends to head to occupied Jerusalem for a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinian official said that the Palestinian Authority, and Arab countries, “plan to sit with Kerry and see if he carries any new initiatives or ideas”.
Kerry visited the region in last month and held talks with Israeli, Palestinian and Arab officials, but could not jumpstart direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Kerry repeatedly said that the United States is committed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State in the occupied territories”, the official said, “But he was never able to convince Israel to recognize the Palestinian right to establish an independent state in the territories Israel occupied in 1967, including occupied East Jerusalem”.
He added that the Palestinian Authority is not placing preconditions, but is outlining the legitimate Palestinian rights of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the release of the detainees, especially those held before the First Oslo Agreement, the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees, and halting all settlement activities.
Kerry and Abbas will possibly hold more than one meeting during the upcoming visit.
15 july 2013
A number of Palestinian activists put banners and signs on the main entrance of several Palestinian cities calling for peace with the Israeli citizens.
The banners also included a message to the Israeli occupation not to enter into Palestinian civil areas due to its aggression and violations against the Palestinian people; as the Israeli Occupation raids Palestinian cities and villages and arrests the residents.
The big banners were placed on cement stones belonging to the Israeli Army on the main entrances of the Palestinian cities and included an invitation to the Israeli citizens to enter into the Palestinian territories as guests without fear or hesitation and to refuse to be an "enemy".
Those banners came in response to the warning letters placed by the Israeli Army on the entrances of the Palestinian cities. Israeli Army put red color banners that warn the Israeli citizens that these are Palestinian territories and Israelis are banned entry. Whereas the Palestinian banners urge the Israelis to enter as guests into the Palestinian territories without any fear or worry.
According to the Israeli banners, the Israeli citizens are warned that entering into a Palestinian area exposes their lives to danger and criminal offenses will be imposed on the violators.
There is a difference between what the Israelis call for in their waning banners and the invitations of the Palestinian activities that eager for peace with the Israeli citizens.
The banners also included a message to the Israeli occupation not to enter into Palestinian civil areas due to its aggression and violations against the Palestinian people; as the Israeli Occupation raids Palestinian cities and villages and arrests the residents.
The big banners were placed on cement stones belonging to the Israeli Army on the main entrances of the Palestinian cities and included an invitation to the Israeli citizens to enter into the Palestinian territories as guests without fear or hesitation and to refuse to be an "enemy".
Those banners came in response to the warning letters placed by the Israeli Army on the entrances of the Palestinian cities. Israeli Army put red color banners that warn the Israeli citizens that these are Palestinian territories and Israelis are banned entry. Whereas the Palestinian banners urge the Israelis to enter as guests into the Palestinian territories without any fear or worry.
According to the Israeli banners, the Israeli citizens are warned that entering into a Palestinian area exposes their lives to danger and criminal offenses will be imposed on the violators.
There is a difference between what the Israelis call for in their waning banners and the invitations of the Palestinian activities that eager for peace with the Israeli citizens.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday telephoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and offered greetings for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israel's Channel 10 reported.
Netanyahu also hoped the two sides could resume peace talks stalled for three years and that they will have the opportunity to speak with one another not only during festivals.
Netanyahu told Abbas that he hops the US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts will show results and start negotiations soon.
The channel added, former Palestinian Minister of Prisoners Affairs, Ashraf al-Ajrami, has recently met with Netanyahu at his house in Jerusalem, and they both discussed several issues. Al-Ajrami confirmed that the ball now is in Israel's court and that the Palestinians await Israeli response on the two-state-solution, yet Netanyahu's office denied the news.
Netanyahu also hoped the two sides could resume peace talks stalled for three years and that they will have the opportunity to speak with one another not only during festivals.
Netanyahu told Abbas that he hops the US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts will show results and start negotiations soon.
The channel added, former Palestinian Minister of Prisoners Affairs, Ashraf al-Ajrami, has recently met with Netanyahu at his house in Jerusalem, and they both discussed several issues. Al-Ajrami confirmed that the ball now is in Israel's court and that the Palestinians await Israeli response on the two-state-solution, yet Netanyahu's office denied the news.
12 july 2013
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to return to the region next week in an attempt to resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, The Jeruslem Post Israeli newspaper reported Friday.
According to the same newspaper, Kerry's visit was supposed to take place sometime this weekend but it was postponed due to his wife's illness.
It's worth mentioning that this would be Kerry's sixth visit to the region since March.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas phoned on Thursday Kerry to check on his wife and to wish her a speedy recovery.
Heinz Kerry, 74, has been transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.
According to the same newspaper, Kerry's visit was supposed to take place sometime this weekend but it was postponed due to his wife's illness.
It's worth mentioning that this would be Kerry's sixth visit to the region since March.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas phoned on Thursday Kerry to check on his wife and to wish her a speedy recovery.
Heinz Kerry, 74, has been transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment.
11 july 2013
Plans for 10,000 homes over the pre-1967 lines were ready to be marketed in Jerusalem and West Bank settlements, the Israeli Minister for Construction and Housing Uri Ariel said on Wednesday as he called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to solve his housing crisis by approving the projects. Ariel’s comments came during the Knesset Finance committee meeting to set the 2013-2014 housing budget.
“We have the ability to market 10,000 housing units in [east] Jerusalem and the settlement blocks in West Bank,” Ariel told the committee.
This includes plans for homes in the settlements of Beit Aryeh, Ofarim and Elkana, the Israeli minister said.
Jerusalem is one of the areas in the country with an acute housing shortage, he added. As a result, he said, prices have risen by 41% from 2008-2012, compared to a 27% hike in the rest of the country for that same period.
High purchase prices translate into high rental fees, he said, blaming the crisis for lack of building activity in east Jerusalem.
“We have the ability to market 10,000 housing units in [east] Jerusalem and the settlement blocks in West Bank,” Ariel told the committee.
This includes plans for homes in the settlements of Beit Aryeh, Ofarim and Elkana, the Israeli minister said.
Jerusalem is one of the areas in the country with an acute housing shortage, he added. As a result, he said, prices have risen by 41% from 2008-2012, compared to a 27% hike in the rest of the country for that same period.
High purchase prices translate into high rental fees, he said, blaming the crisis for lack of building activity in east Jerusalem.
Israeli daily, Maariv, has reported that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, allegedly presented an "offer" to release around 104 Palestinian detainees before the resumption of peace talks, and without a Palestinian commitment to resume direct talks with Tel Aviv.
The paper said that approximately 40 of those detainees are what Israel labels as “prisoners with blood on their hands”, referring to detainees accused to killing Israelis, or believed to be behind attacks that led to casualties.
Maariv said that the new stance of Netanyahu is considered a fundamental change, as he always refused “to pay the price of convincing the Palestinian side to return to the negotiations table”, according to the paper.
Sources in Washington have reported that U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and Netanyahu are waiting a response from Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
The Israeli “offer” states that Israel would release the 104 detainees on stages in the future, after the resumption of peace talks.
According to Maariv, the detainees could be released soon, during the Holy Muslim month of Ramadan that started a day ago.
The Palestinian leadership in the West Bank quit direct peace talks with Tel Aviv due to Israel’s ongoing violations, invasions and its ongoing illegal settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel is also failing to accept holding talks on vital final status issues, such as Jerusalem, the Right of Return of the Palestinian Refugees, borders and natural resources.
The paper said that approximately 40 of those detainees are what Israel labels as “prisoners with blood on their hands”, referring to detainees accused to killing Israelis, or believed to be behind attacks that led to casualties.
Maariv said that the new stance of Netanyahu is considered a fundamental change, as he always refused “to pay the price of convincing the Palestinian side to return to the negotiations table”, according to the paper.
Sources in Washington have reported that U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and Netanyahu are waiting a response from Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
The Israeli “offer” states that Israel would release the 104 detainees on stages in the future, after the resumption of peace talks.
According to Maariv, the detainees could be released soon, during the Holy Muslim month of Ramadan that started a day ago.
The Palestinian leadership in the West Bank quit direct peace talks with Tel Aviv due to Israel’s ongoing violations, invasions and its ongoing illegal settlement construction and expansion activities in the occupied West Bank, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israel is also failing to accept holding talks on vital final status issues, such as Jerusalem, the Right of Return of the Palestinian Refugees, borders and natural resources.
Palestinian Minister of Detainees, Issa Qaraqe’, stated that President Mahmoud Abbas insists on the release of all 104 detainees who have been held by Israeli since before the first Oslo Agreement in 1993, without any discrimination, or conditions.
Qaraqe’ said that Abbas affirmed, during a meeting between the two, that all old detainees, and all ailing detainees, must be released, and that this stance in nonnegotiable, and was presented to U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, during his visit to the region.
He added that Israel previously offered the release of a number of detainees in return for resuming direct peace talks, and added that the release should be comprehensive, and not under Israeli preconditions.
Qaraqe’ stated that Abbas told Kerry that the detainees’ cause in an essential issue, and that the release of detainees who spent many years in Israeli prisons, and the ailing detainees, is a fundamental issue that cannot be compromised.
His statements came in response to Israeli reports about an Israeli initiative to release a number of detainees (approximately 104 detainees) in return for resuming direct peace talks.
“The release of all detainees is a legitimate Palestinian right”, Qaraqe’ said, “It’s not an issue that Israel should control and use as a bargaining chip”.
The Minister saluted all detainees and their families, congratulated the Muslims marking the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, and stated that human life, and the liberty of human beings, are sacred values, adding that the suffering of the detainees is the suffering of steadfastness, and determination.
Qaraqe’ said that Abbas affirmed, during a meeting between the two, that all old detainees, and all ailing detainees, must be released, and that this stance in nonnegotiable, and was presented to U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, during his visit to the region.
He added that Israel previously offered the release of a number of detainees in return for resuming direct peace talks, and added that the release should be comprehensive, and not under Israeli preconditions.
Qaraqe’ stated that Abbas told Kerry that the detainees’ cause in an essential issue, and that the release of detainees who spent many years in Israeli prisons, and the ailing detainees, is a fundamental issue that cannot be compromised.
His statements came in response to Israeli reports about an Israeli initiative to release a number of detainees (approximately 104 detainees) in return for resuming direct peace talks.
“The release of all detainees is a legitimate Palestinian right”, Qaraqe’ said, “It’s not an issue that Israel should control and use as a bargaining chip”.
The Minister saluted all detainees and their families, congratulated the Muslims marking the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, and stated that human life, and the liberty of human beings, are sacred values, adding that the suffering of the detainees is the suffering of steadfastness, and determination.
PLO Executive Committee member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi met on Wednesday various members of the Canadian Parliament who represented the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party and National Democratic Party, respectively, as well as Katherine Verrier-Fréchette, Representative of Canada to the State of Palestine and representatives from the Representative Office of Canada.
They discussed the latest political developments in Palestine as well as issues of mutual concern with Canada, PLO Department of Culture and Information said in a press release.
In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi pointed out, "We are in a state of crisis and reaching the end of the two-state solution. Under the cover of endless negotiations, Israel is successfully carrying out a policy of ongoing systematic encroachment on Palestinian lives and resources. If there are no bold efforts to salvage the chances for peace and put an end to Israel's continued impunity, Israel will have succeeded in plunging the entire region into a new period of violence, conflict and great instability."
"Thus, now is the time for members of the international community, including Canada, to stand up to Israel and show the courage needed to end its unilateral violations of international law and conventions," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.
Separately Dr. Ashrawi met with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, at the PLO headquarters in Ramallah. In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi stressed:
"The Israeli government has been able to persist with its continued efforts to create facts on the ground due to the inability of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council to hold Israel accountable for violating international law and the human rights of the Palestinians. Unless there is a serious effort to ensure the integrity of signed agreements and internationally recognized terms of reference, there is no sign of a breakthrough in the revival of the so-called "peace process."
"We will persist in our efforts to pursue membership in United Nations agencies and organizations. Our ultimate aim is to end the military occupation of Palestine and safeguard the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and independence. The United Nations should support us as we seek representation in international legal fora and institutions," Dr. Ashrawi added.
They discussed the latest political developments in Palestine as well as issues of mutual concern with Canada, PLO Department of Culture and Information said in a press release.
In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi pointed out, "We are in a state of crisis and reaching the end of the two-state solution. Under the cover of endless negotiations, Israel is successfully carrying out a policy of ongoing systematic encroachment on Palestinian lives and resources. If there are no bold efforts to salvage the chances for peace and put an end to Israel's continued impunity, Israel will have succeeded in plunging the entire region into a new period of violence, conflict and great instability."
"Thus, now is the time for members of the international community, including Canada, to stand up to Israel and show the courage needed to end its unilateral violations of international law and conventions," concluded Dr. Ashrawi.
Separately Dr. Ashrawi met with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, at the PLO headquarters in Ramallah. In the meeting, Dr. Ashrawi stressed:
"The Israeli government has been able to persist with its continued efforts to create facts on the ground due to the inability of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council to hold Israel accountable for violating international law and the human rights of the Palestinians. Unless there is a serious effort to ensure the integrity of signed agreements and internationally recognized terms of reference, there is no sign of a breakthrough in the revival of the so-called "peace process."
"We will persist in our efforts to pursue membership in United Nations agencies and organizations. Our ultimate aim is to end the military occupation of Palestine and safeguard the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and independence. The United Nations should support us as we seek representation in international legal fora and institutions," Dr. Ashrawi added.
10 july 2013
Dr. Hanna Issa, an expert in International Law, strongly denounced the recent Israeli decision to build nearly 500 units for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, saying the decision is another Israeli violation of International Law, and an attempt to foil all attempts to resume direct peace talks.
Issa said that Israel is challenging the International Community, and added that Tel Aviv is wasting time and the efforts of the international community to resume direct peace talks, by escalating its violations and illegal settlement activities.
He added that Israel is also violating its international obligations, including the Road Map peace plan, the recommendations of the Annapolis Conference in 2007, and continues its violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the Geneva Protocols.
“On July 9 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and violate International Law”, Issa said, “The court ruled that Israel’s use of Palestinian natural resources, its violations against the Palestinians, and their lands, violate the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed in 1993, and all related agreements signed since then”.
Issa added that building and expanding settlements is not only illegal, it also violates that basic rights of the Palestinian people, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and that Israel’s illegal settlement activities are depriving the Palestinians from their sources of livelihood.
“Israel must stop all of its settlement activities as a first phase before dismantling its settlements in occupied Palestine””, he said, “Settlements jeopardize the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian State, they violate all related UN resolutions”.
Issa added that the unilateral Israeli measures aim causing significant changes to the geography and demography of Jerusalem.
“UN resolutions 181, 194, 303, and all resolutions issued later on, call for placing Jerusalem under international protection”, he said, “The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits changing the demography and geography of the occupied territories, including Jerusalem”.
Issa said that Israel is challenging the International Community, and added that Tel Aviv is wasting time and the efforts of the international community to resume direct peace talks, by escalating its violations and illegal settlement activities.
He added that Israel is also violating its international obligations, including the Road Map peace plan, the recommendations of the Annapolis Conference in 2007, and continues its violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and the Geneva Protocols.
“On July 9 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and violate International Law”, Issa said, “The court ruled that Israel’s use of Palestinian natural resources, its violations against the Palestinians, and their lands, violate the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed in 1993, and all related agreements signed since then”.
Issa added that building and expanding settlements is not only illegal, it also violates that basic rights of the Palestinian people, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and that Israel’s illegal settlement activities are depriving the Palestinians from their sources of livelihood.
“Israel must stop all of its settlement activities as a first phase before dismantling its settlements in occupied Palestine””, he said, “Settlements jeopardize the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian State, they violate all related UN resolutions”.
Issa added that the unilateral Israeli measures aim causing significant changes to the geography and demography of Jerusalem.
“UN resolutions 181, 194, 303, and all resolutions issued later on, call for placing Jerusalem under international protection”, he said, “The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits changing the demography and geography of the occupied territories, including Jerusalem”.
When the US secretary of state John Kerry left Israel and the Palestinian territories on the 30th of June, there had been no further progress in the peace talks.
Despite the lack of progress, he stressed that prominent positive steps have been made in the peace process. His four-day-long visit to the region was the fifth in three months.
During this time he talked separately to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, because the two leaders did not agree to resume direct talks. The Haaretz reporter Barak Ravid ironically described the separated negotiations as “diplotherapy”.
So why are there no direct talks between the two sides? Let’s approach this question by looking into what each side claims is preventing direct negotiations.
Israeli officials say they are ready to sit down at the negotiation table, and that it’s the Palestinian side that insistently refuses to negotiate.
The Palestinian attempt to achieve sovereignty by submitting a petition of membership-status to the UN, along with the many other independence-struggle-attempts are seen by Israel as “unilateral actions and attempts to forcing the [Palestinian] will on Israel”.
As appealing as this simplified and biased explanation of the lack of peace talks might be, it is hugely misleading.
The talks between the two leaders failed to take place mainly due to central obstacles remaining in the peace process.
Ever since the Camp-David-agreement and the Oslo-accords, the focus has been on a sustainable two state solution. But to arrive at that solution, the borders need to be redefined.
Today, the common proposal is to go back to the borders of 1967, which would return a large amount of land to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Along with the issue of the borders, some other challenges remain.
The illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, which have been rejected by the UN, are a major obstacle in the peace process. Palestinian and foreign politicians cite Israel’s refusal to immediately freeze the expansion of these illegal settlements as one of the main obstructions to peace.
U.S. President Barack Obama told Netanyahu to immediately stop the construction of the illegal settlements since “such an activity is not believed to be something that can advance the cause of peace”.
Despite these admonitions, Netanyahu approved the building of nearly 900 new settlements in Har Homa (Jabal Abu Ghneim), in the Palestinian part of southern Jerusalem later this year.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee made this comment about the contradictive politics: “How can you talk about how to divide a pie equally while someone is eating it?”
During Kerry’s visit the spark of hope for a sustainable peace was once more seen, but when he left it was once again smothered. As the nine months pass before new talks are initiated, the two sides have been advised to not make any comments that could disturb the fragile process.
During this time, however, the Palestinian share of the pie keeps getting smaller.
Despite the lack of progress, he stressed that prominent positive steps have been made in the peace process. His four-day-long visit to the region was the fifth in three months.
During this time he talked separately to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, because the two leaders did not agree to resume direct talks. The Haaretz reporter Barak Ravid ironically described the separated negotiations as “diplotherapy”.
So why are there no direct talks between the two sides? Let’s approach this question by looking into what each side claims is preventing direct negotiations.
Israeli officials say they are ready to sit down at the negotiation table, and that it’s the Palestinian side that insistently refuses to negotiate.
The Palestinian attempt to achieve sovereignty by submitting a petition of membership-status to the UN, along with the many other independence-struggle-attempts are seen by Israel as “unilateral actions and attempts to forcing the [Palestinian] will on Israel”.
As appealing as this simplified and biased explanation of the lack of peace talks might be, it is hugely misleading.
The talks between the two leaders failed to take place mainly due to central obstacles remaining in the peace process.
Ever since the Camp-David-agreement and the Oslo-accords, the focus has been on a sustainable two state solution. But to arrive at that solution, the borders need to be redefined.
Today, the common proposal is to go back to the borders of 1967, which would return a large amount of land to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Along with the issue of the borders, some other challenges remain.
The illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, which have been rejected by the UN, are a major obstacle in the peace process. Palestinian and foreign politicians cite Israel’s refusal to immediately freeze the expansion of these illegal settlements as one of the main obstructions to peace.
U.S. President Barack Obama told Netanyahu to immediately stop the construction of the illegal settlements since “such an activity is not believed to be something that can advance the cause of peace”.
Despite these admonitions, Netanyahu approved the building of nearly 900 new settlements in Har Homa (Jabal Abu Ghneim), in the Palestinian part of southern Jerusalem later this year.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee made this comment about the contradictive politics: “How can you talk about how to divide a pie equally while someone is eating it?”
During Kerry’s visit the spark of hope for a sustainable peace was once more seen, but when he left it was once again smothered. As the nine months pass before new talks are initiated, the two sides have been advised to not make any comments that could disturb the fragile process.
During this time, however, the Palestinian share of the pie keeps getting smaller.
The Follow-up Popular Resistance Commission in Palestine condemned the meetings held between leaders of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah and the leaders of the Jewish extremist parties. The Commission considered in a statement that such meetings constitute a violation of the people's will and a circumvention of the people's decision that rejects the policy of normalization with Israel
The statement added: "At a time when Israelis are escalating attacks on Palestinians and at the time when the Palestinian people are insisting on the need to stop the settlement activity and release the prisoners, we were surprised by these meetings held between leaders of Israeli ruling parties in the presence of some Palestinian leaders."
The Commission called for responding to the practices of the occupation through activating and developing the popular resistance.
It demanded the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO leadership and the Fatah leaders to clearly and decisively respond to these meetings through "the development of a clear mechanism to activate and develop resistance and to unify the ranks against the Israeli plans."
Palestinian Groups Condemn Meeting Between PLO, Israel as 'Normalization'
The Jerusalem Post Israeli newspaper reported Wednesday, that Fatah faction condemned in a press statement, a meeting that took place in Ramallah earlier this week between PLO representatives and Israeli politicians.
The Israeli delegation, which included members of the Likud and Shas, rabbis, political consultants and municipal council members, met with PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo, top Fatah official Nabil Sha'ath, PLO Executive Committee member Mohamed Masri, and Ashraf al-Ajrami, a former minister for prisoner affairs in the Palestinian Authority.
The meeting was organized by the Geneva Initiative group and headed by Yasser Abed Rabo, the head of the Palestinian branch of the Geneva Initiative.
The Fatah faction said, "We condemn normalization and those behind it. Such meetings are void of political content and a waste of time. They are unjustified, nationally and politically."
The faction added that such meetings were in violation of PA President Mahmoud Abbas's position to halt meetings with the Israeli government.
The Fatah statement concluded, "While we strongly condemn such meetings and categorically reject them, we call upon our leadership to form a commission of inquiry to hold accountable those responsible."
For his part, Tawfiq Terawi, Fatah Central Committee member also condemned the meeting and said that in spite of ongoing aggression on the Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation and its settlers and the insistence of the Israeli government on continuing settlement and Apartheid Wall, the meetings of the Geneva Initiative that was launched by Ashraf al-Ajrami continue to take place despite attempts by Palestinians to combat any form of "normalization" with Israel.
Hamas also considered the meeting in Ramallah as a "form of normalization" with Israel and said that such meetings intended to "provide a cover for the occupation to continue", The Jerusalem Post reported.
Several other groups issued strong condemnations against Israeli-Palestinian meetings, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Islamic Jihad.
The statement added: "At a time when Israelis are escalating attacks on Palestinians and at the time when the Palestinian people are insisting on the need to stop the settlement activity and release the prisoners, we were surprised by these meetings held between leaders of Israeli ruling parties in the presence of some Palestinian leaders."
The Commission called for responding to the practices of the occupation through activating and developing the popular resistance.
It demanded the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO leadership and the Fatah leaders to clearly and decisively respond to these meetings through "the development of a clear mechanism to activate and develop resistance and to unify the ranks against the Israeli plans."
Palestinian Groups Condemn Meeting Between PLO, Israel as 'Normalization'
The Jerusalem Post Israeli newspaper reported Wednesday, that Fatah faction condemned in a press statement, a meeting that took place in Ramallah earlier this week between PLO representatives and Israeli politicians.
The Israeli delegation, which included members of the Likud and Shas, rabbis, political consultants and municipal council members, met with PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo, top Fatah official Nabil Sha'ath, PLO Executive Committee member Mohamed Masri, and Ashraf al-Ajrami, a former minister for prisoner affairs in the Palestinian Authority.
The meeting was organized by the Geneva Initiative group and headed by Yasser Abed Rabo, the head of the Palestinian branch of the Geneva Initiative.
The Fatah faction said, "We condemn normalization and those behind it. Such meetings are void of political content and a waste of time. They are unjustified, nationally and politically."
The faction added that such meetings were in violation of PA President Mahmoud Abbas's position to halt meetings with the Israeli government.
The Fatah statement concluded, "While we strongly condemn such meetings and categorically reject them, we call upon our leadership to form a commission of inquiry to hold accountable those responsible."
For his part, Tawfiq Terawi, Fatah Central Committee member also condemned the meeting and said that in spite of ongoing aggression on the Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation and its settlers and the insistence of the Israeli government on continuing settlement and Apartheid Wall, the meetings of the Geneva Initiative that was launched by Ashraf al-Ajrami continue to take place despite attempts by Palestinians to combat any form of "normalization" with Israel.
Hamas also considered the meeting in Ramallah as a "form of normalization" with Israel and said that such meetings intended to "provide a cover for the occupation to continue", The Jerusalem Post reported.
Several other groups issued strong condemnations against Israeli-Palestinian meetings, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Islamic Jihad.
9 july 2013
Israel's Civil Administration submitted two new plans to build more than 500 new settlement units. According to the Hebrew Walla website, the first plan includes the construction of 255 units in the settlement of Kfar Adumim in the Benjamin region.
The website explains that the second plan includes the construction of 230 new units in the settlement of Maon, south of the city of al-Khalil in the southern occupied West Bank.
In the details of the two plans, the settlement of Kfar Adumim, which is inhabited by nearly 400 Israeli families, will be significantly expanded through the construction of these units.
The website notes that under the new plan new residential buildings, public institutions, commercial area and streets will be constructed, in an attempt to settle 120 extra families in the settlement.
Those plans comes in light of the statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Defence Moshe Ya'alon, who confirmed that the settlement construction will continue, in conjunction with the efforts of the U.S. administration to renew the negotiations with the Palestinians.
The website explains that the second plan includes the construction of 230 new units in the settlement of Maon, south of the city of al-Khalil in the southern occupied West Bank.
In the details of the two plans, the settlement of Kfar Adumim, which is inhabited by nearly 400 Israeli families, will be significantly expanded through the construction of these units.
The website notes that under the new plan new residential buildings, public institutions, commercial area and streets will be constructed, in an attempt to settle 120 extra families in the settlement.
Those plans comes in light of the statements made by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Defence Moshe Ya'alon, who confirmed that the settlement construction will continue, in conjunction with the efforts of the U.S. administration to renew the negotiations with the Palestinians.
"Geneva Initiative" has organized a meeting between PA and Fatah movement leaders and leaders in the Likud party in Ramallah on Sunday to resume talks between the two parties, Israeli media sources said. Leaders in PA and Fatah movement have attended the meeting including Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member in Fatah Central Committee and Geneva Initiative, and chief Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath, in addition to senior officials in PA and Fatah movement, Maarif Hebrew newspaper revealed.
The newspaper added that the meeting aims to resume talks between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities and to discuss the peace process.
During the meeting, Yasser Abed Rabbo declared, according to the newspaper, that the PA is ready to take unprecedented steps to resume the peace process with the Israeli authorities.
Hamas denounces meeting between Fatah and Israeli officials
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has denounced the meeting in Ramallah between Fatah and PA leaders and representatives of the Israeli Likud and Shas parties over a dinner banquet. Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Tuesday that the “amicable meeting” represented a kind of normalization of relations at a time the Israeli occupation authorities were escalating attacks on the Palestinian land and holy shrines.
After the meeting, Yasser Abed Rabbo, a Fatah central committee member, declared that the PA is ready to take unprecedented steps to resume the peace process with the Israeli authorities.
He said that the latest tour of the US secretary of state John Kerry in the region had left positive impressions, adding, however, that both parties (Israelis and Palestinians) should be more flexible in order to resume their negotiations.
The newspaper added that the meeting aims to resume talks between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities and to discuss the peace process.
During the meeting, Yasser Abed Rabbo declared, according to the newspaper, that the PA is ready to take unprecedented steps to resume the peace process with the Israeli authorities.
Hamas denounces meeting between Fatah and Israeli officials
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, has denounced the meeting in Ramallah between Fatah and PA leaders and representatives of the Israeli Likud and Shas parties over a dinner banquet. Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Tuesday that the “amicable meeting” represented a kind of normalization of relations at a time the Israeli occupation authorities were escalating attacks on the Palestinian land and holy shrines.
After the meeting, Yasser Abed Rabbo, a Fatah central committee member, declared that the PA is ready to take unprecedented steps to resume the peace process with the Israeli authorities.
He said that the latest tour of the US secretary of state John Kerry in the region had left positive impressions, adding, however, that both parties (Israelis and Palestinians) should be more flexible in order to resume their negotiations.
Marking 9 Years of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion "On the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory by Israel", PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department issued a new fact sheet entitled "The Barrier to Peace: Israeli Annexation Wall and Settlements Despite International Opposition."
The ICJ Opinion on the Wall and its unimplemented recommendations for the International Community are a reminder of the Culture of Impunity that has allowed Israel to be treated as a State above the Law.
LINK TO THE FACT SHEET [PDF]
The ICJ Opinion on the Wall and its unimplemented recommendations for the International Community are a reminder of the Culture of Impunity that has allowed Israel to be treated as a State above the Law.
LINK TO THE FACT SHEET [PDF]