3 mar 2014
Israel needs to make some tough decisions in order to find peace with the Palestinians, US President Barack Obama warned Benjamin Netanyahu in talks at the White House on Monday.
But the prime minister insisted that Israel had already done its part for peace, while the Palestinians had not.
Israel and the Palestinians have been engaged in seven months of direct peace talks which are due to expire at the end of April, and decision time is at hand, Obama said.
The deadline, he said "is coming near and some tough decisions are going to have to be made."
But Netanyahu, who has pledged to stand firm on Israel's vital interests and to withstand US pressure, told him it is the Palestinians who need to act.
"Israel has been doing its part, I regret to say the Palestinians haven't," he retorted, claiming Israel had "uprooted entire settlements" and released hundreds of Palestinian "terrorists."
Ignoring Obama's appeal, Netanyahu said the highest priority for Israel and the United States was not the peace process but preventing Iran from obtaining a military nuclear capacity.
The "greatest challenge, undoubtably, is preventing Iran from acquiring the capacity to make nuclear weapons," he said.
The way to do that was by preventing Iran from enriching uranium and for it to fully dismantle its military nuclear installations, he argued.
Netanyahu came to Washington keen to impress his concerns on Obama about the ongoing talks between world powers and Iran in a bid to roll back its contested nuclear program.
But the prime minister insisted that Israel had already done its part for peace, while the Palestinians had not.
Israel and the Palestinians have been engaged in seven months of direct peace talks which are due to expire at the end of April, and decision time is at hand, Obama said.
The deadline, he said "is coming near and some tough decisions are going to have to be made."
But Netanyahu, who has pledged to stand firm on Israel's vital interests and to withstand US pressure, told him it is the Palestinians who need to act.
"Israel has been doing its part, I regret to say the Palestinians haven't," he retorted, claiming Israel had "uprooted entire settlements" and released hundreds of Palestinian "terrorists."
Ignoring Obama's appeal, Netanyahu said the highest priority for Israel and the United States was not the peace process but preventing Iran from obtaining a military nuclear capacity.
The "greatest challenge, undoubtably, is preventing Iran from acquiring the capacity to make nuclear weapons," he said.
The way to do that was by preventing Iran from enriching uranium and for it to fully dismantle its military nuclear installations, he argued.
Netanyahu came to Washington keen to impress his concerns on Obama about the ongoing talks between world powers and Iran in a bid to roll back its contested nuclear program.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday arrived at the White House to meet US President Barack Obama over the future of the peace process with the Palestinians.
Obama is expected to press Netanyahu to accept a framework for extending the negotiations beyond a late April deadline, although the Israeli leader has pledged to resist any pressure.
Obama is expected to press Netanyahu to accept a framework for extending the negotiations beyond a late April deadline, although the Israeli leader has pledged to resist any pressure.
President Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli Member of the Knesset Zahava Gal-On in Ramallah, the official Wafa news agency reported.
PLO Central Committee Member Muhammad al-Madani said in a news conference that the meeting focused on peace negotiations and possible repercussions in talks failed, the Wafa report said.
Al-Madani said that the PA was hopeful for upcoming meetings between Abbas and US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
"We fully trust Israeli parties that support peace," he said.
However, if negotiations fail, "we will go into the unknown."
Speaking at the news conference, Gal-On reiterated her support for the two-state solution, praising efforts exerted by both sides to overcome obstacles and reach a framework agreement.
Zahava is the leading member of Meretz, a left-wing Israeli Zionist political party.
PLO Central Committee Member Muhammad al-Madani said in a news conference that the meeting focused on peace negotiations and possible repercussions in talks failed, the Wafa report said.
Al-Madani said that the PA was hopeful for upcoming meetings between Abbas and US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
"We fully trust Israeli parties that support peace," he said.
However, if negotiations fail, "we will go into the unknown."
Speaking at the news conference, Gal-On reiterated her support for the two-state solution, praising efforts exerted by both sides to overcome obstacles and reach a framework agreement.
Zahava is the leading member of Meretz, a left-wing Israeli Zionist political party.
Starts on new settlement building in the occupied West Bank increased by 123.7 percent last year, Israeli government data released Monday showed.
The release by the Central Bureau of Statistics came hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to meet at the White House with President Barack Obama, who has criticized settlement construction.
"We have seen more aggressive settlement construction over the last couple years than we've seen in a very long time," Obama said in an interview with Bloomberg View columnist Jeffrey Goldberg published on Sunday.
"If Palestinians come to believe that the possibility of a contiguous sovereign Palestinian state is no longer within reach, then our ability to manage the international fallout is going to be limited."
The Palestinians have long viewed Israeli settlement construction as a major obstacle to peace talks, arguing that Israel is actively building on land that should be part of their future state.
Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now said that government figures showed that work began on 2,534 settlement housing units in 2013 compared to 1,133 the year before.
"It's official, the Netanyahu government is committed to only one thing: building settlements. It shows the lack of commitment to negotiations," a Peace Now statement said.
Obama is expected to try to persuade Netanyahu to accept a US framework for final peace talks with the Palestinians, but the Israeli leader has vowed to resist all "pressures."
Washington brought the Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table in July following a three-year hiatus, after the last talks broke down in 2010 over the settlements dispute.
The release by the Central Bureau of Statistics came hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to meet at the White House with President Barack Obama, who has criticized settlement construction.
"We have seen more aggressive settlement construction over the last couple years than we've seen in a very long time," Obama said in an interview with Bloomberg View columnist Jeffrey Goldberg published on Sunday.
"If Palestinians come to believe that the possibility of a contiguous sovereign Palestinian state is no longer within reach, then our ability to manage the international fallout is going to be limited."
The Palestinians have long viewed Israeli settlement construction as a major obstacle to peace talks, arguing that Israel is actively building on land that should be part of their future state.
Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now said that government figures showed that work began on 2,534 settlement housing units in 2013 compared to 1,133 the year before.
"It's official, the Netanyahu government is committed to only one thing: building settlements. It shows the lack of commitment to negotiations," a Peace Now statement said.
Obama is expected to try to persuade Netanyahu to accept a US framework for final peace talks with the Palestinians, but the Israeli leader has vowed to resist all "pressures."
Washington brought the Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table in July following a three-year hiatus, after the last talks broke down in 2010 over the settlements dispute.
Hamas's representative in Yemen Abdul-Muti Zaqqout said that the attempts by US secretary of state John Kerry to revive the settlement talks between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Israeli occupation is part of the abortive peace process that started more than 20 years ago. In press remarks to Al-Sahwa Net, Zaqqout stated that the negotiation process resulted in nothing but more pain and suffering for the occupied Palestinian people.
He reiterated his Movement's rejection of the settlement approach adopted by the PA and any consequent agreements giving up the Palestinian people's right to their historical land and holy sites.
The Hamas official urged the PA to withdraw from the US-sponsored negotiation with the Israeli occupation and initiate genuine reconciliation with its rivals based on the Palestinian national rights and constants.
For his part, Palestinian lawmaker Hosni Al-Borini called on de facto president Mahmoud Abbas to be honest with his people about the peace talks with the Israeli side and the external and American pressures put on him in this regard.
Borini told Quds Press on Sunday that Abbas is unable to tell his people frankly about the developments of his negotiations with Israel because he and his negotiators are compromising on the national constants and rights, unlike what they state publically.
He reiterated his Movement's rejection of the settlement approach adopted by the PA and any consequent agreements giving up the Palestinian people's right to their historical land and holy sites.
The Hamas official urged the PA to withdraw from the US-sponsored negotiation with the Israeli occupation and initiate genuine reconciliation with its rivals based on the Palestinian national rights and constants.
For his part, Palestinian lawmaker Hosni Al-Borini called on de facto president Mahmoud Abbas to be honest with his people about the peace talks with the Israeli side and the external and American pressures put on him in this regard.
Borini told Quds Press on Sunday that Abbas is unable to tell his people frankly about the developments of his negotiations with Israel because he and his negotiators are compromising on the national constants and rights, unlike what they state publically.
The Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage stated that Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) have recently started implementing Strauss House project on the western side of Buraq Square in al-Aqsa Mosque. According to the foundation, the project came in parallel with the Israeli policy to wipe out Islamic relics in al-Aqsa Mosque. A new wide patio, made of concrete, was poured on the ruins of Islamic monuments.
Strauss House project is a 1716-square-meter building consisting of three floors and containing a police station, a religious school, a synagogue, an exhibition hall, reception halls and dozens of WCs.
In this context, the foundation confirmed that the IOA approved an agreement to pave the way for Elad settlement association to take control over al-Aqsa Mosque from the western and southern sides.
The organization said that Elad organization aims to establish settlement projects around al-Aqsa Mosque in Silwan town in order to link between Israeli settlements in Wadi Hilweh neighborhood in the town and Buraq square.
Al-Aqsa Foundation said that Israeli authorities work to implement Judaization and settlement projects aiming to facilitate the arrival of millions of settlers in addition to facilitating tourists' access to Buraq square.
Strauss House project is a 1716-square-meter building consisting of three floors and containing a police station, a religious school, a synagogue, an exhibition hall, reception halls and dozens of WCs.
In this context, the foundation confirmed that the IOA approved an agreement to pave the way for Elad settlement association to take control over al-Aqsa Mosque from the western and southern sides.
The organization said that Elad organization aims to establish settlement projects around al-Aqsa Mosque in Silwan town in order to link between Israeli settlements in Wadi Hilweh neighborhood in the town and Buraq square.
Al-Aqsa Foundation said that Israeli authorities work to implement Judaization and settlement projects aiming to facilitate the arrival of millions of settlers in addition to facilitating tourists' access to Buraq square.
President Barack Obama will Monday try to cajole Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a US framework for final peace talks with the PLO, but the Israeli leader is vowing to resist all "pressures."
Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu will also discuss Iranian nuclear diplomacy, but likely struggle to reconcile differing views after Israel blasted an interim pact with Tehran reached last year as a bad deal.
Unusually, Netanyahu will not be the center of attention in Washington, where his visits to the White House have sometimes featured public disagreements with Obama and testy photo ops.
Obama is now consumed by Russia's incursion into Ukraine, which is developing into the biggest transatlantic crisis since the end of the Cold War.
In their Oval Office talks Monday, the US leader will ask Netanyahu to agree to a framework for a conclusive round of peace talks with the Palestinians pieced together by Secretary of State John Kerry.
Washington had previously set an April 29 deadline for a final status agreement between Israel and the PLO, but the framework is designed as an attempt to extend the diplomacy.
It will be Obama's most significant entry into peacemaking after his first term effort ended when Netanyahu refused to extend a freeze in settlement construction which Palestinians said was a condition for resuming direct talks.
"There's a sense that the negotiations have reached a point where only presidential engagement, direct presidential engagement, can move them forward," said Haim Malka, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The framework, yet to be made public, addresses the most nettlesome issues surrounding the Palestinian drive for statehood, including borders, security and the future status of Jerusalem.
Obama will make a similar plea for President Mahmoud Abbas to accept the document when he visits the White House in two weeks time.
The president said in an interview with Bloomberg View columnist Jeffrey Goldberg that he would tell Netanyahu that time was running out for Israel to follow the peace track.
"If not now, when? And if not you, Mr. Prime Minister, then who?" Obama said, paraphrasing his appeal to Netanyahu.
If Netanyahu "does not believe that a peace deal with the Palestinians is the right thing to do for Israel, then he needs to articulate an alternative approach," Obama said in the interview, according to a transcript sent by the White House.
Netanyahu however adopted a tough stance before leaving Israel on a trip that includes an appearance at the annual policy conference of the America Israeli Public Affairs Committee lobby group.
"We will discuss the Iranian issue and the diplomatic process... In recent years the state of Israel has been under various pressures. We have rejected them...This is what has been and what will be."
Netanyahu and Abbas face difficult political decisions on whether to sign up for the framework.
Ending diplomacy however would also bring problems.
For the PLO that may mean ending a chance for a negotiated state.
Israel would likely face increasing isolation and the growing threat of economic boycotts.
Netanyahu is "in a position now where he has to make a decision," said Alan Elsner, vice president of J Street, another US Jewish lobby group.
"It's not easy for him because there are political costs -- but the cost of not moving forward is much greater for Israel."
Skepticism over Iran diplomacy
Netanyahu comes to Washington eager to impress on Obama his deep skepticism over talks with Iran.
The Israeli leader sees the diplomatic opening by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as nothing but a charm offensive and demands a complete dismantling of Teheran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Obama has said that such a deal with Tehran is unrealistic, but argues that the diplomatic process run by the P5+1 powers has a chance of verifiably stopping Iran short of building nuclear weapons.
While Netanyahu will vent at Iran diplomacy at AIPAC, he now has little choice but to let the talks between P5+1 powers and Iran play out.
US leaders may also be less receptive to his warnings that Iran is the greatest threat to American security, now that Russian President Vladimir Putin is stirring memories of the Cold War.
Netanyahu's leverage is also weakened after an intense White House lobbying effort thwarted a bid by hawks in the US Congress to tighten sanctions against Tehran.
Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu will also discuss Iranian nuclear diplomacy, but likely struggle to reconcile differing views after Israel blasted an interim pact with Tehran reached last year as a bad deal.
Unusually, Netanyahu will not be the center of attention in Washington, where his visits to the White House have sometimes featured public disagreements with Obama and testy photo ops.
Obama is now consumed by Russia's incursion into Ukraine, which is developing into the biggest transatlantic crisis since the end of the Cold War.
In their Oval Office talks Monday, the US leader will ask Netanyahu to agree to a framework for a conclusive round of peace talks with the Palestinians pieced together by Secretary of State John Kerry.
Washington had previously set an April 29 deadline for a final status agreement between Israel and the PLO, but the framework is designed as an attempt to extend the diplomacy.
It will be Obama's most significant entry into peacemaking after his first term effort ended when Netanyahu refused to extend a freeze in settlement construction which Palestinians said was a condition for resuming direct talks.
"There's a sense that the negotiations have reached a point where only presidential engagement, direct presidential engagement, can move them forward," said Haim Malka, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The framework, yet to be made public, addresses the most nettlesome issues surrounding the Palestinian drive for statehood, including borders, security and the future status of Jerusalem.
Obama will make a similar plea for President Mahmoud Abbas to accept the document when he visits the White House in two weeks time.
The president said in an interview with Bloomberg View columnist Jeffrey Goldberg that he would tell Netanyahu that time was running out for Israel to follow the peace track.
"If not now, when? And if not you, Mr. Prime Minister, then who?" Obama said, paraphrasing his appeal to Netanyahu.
If Netanyahu "does not believe that a peace deal with the Palestinians is the right thing to do for Israel, then he needs to articulate an alternative approach," Obama said in the interview, according to a transcript sent by the White House.
Netanyahu however adopted a tough stance before leaving Israel on a trip that includes an appearance at the annual policy conference of the America Israeli Public Affairs Committee lobby group.
"We will discuss the Iranian issue and the diplomatic process... In recent years the state of Israel has been under various pressures. We have rejected them...This is what has been and what will be."
Netanyahu and Abbas face difficult political decisions on whether to sign up for the framework.
Ending diplomacy however would also bring problems.
For the PLO that may mean ending a chance for a negotiated state.
Israel would likely face increasing isolation and the growing threat of economic boycotts.
Netanyahu is "in a position now where he has to make a decision," said Alan Elsner, vice president of J Street, another US Jewish lobby group.
"It's not easy for him because there are political costs -- but the cost of not moving forward is much greater for Israel."
Skepticism over Iran diplomacy
Netanyahu comes to Washington eager to impress on Obama his deep skepticism over talks with Iran.
The Israeli leader sees the diplomatic opening by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as nothing but a charm offensive and demands a complete dismantling of Teheran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Obama has said that such a deal with Tehran is unrealistic, but argues that the diplomatic process run by the P5+1 powers has a chance of verifiably stopping Iran short of building nuclear weapons.
While Netanyahu will vent at Iran diplomacy at AIPAC, he now has little choice but to let the talks between P5+1 powers and Iran play out.
US leaders may also be less receptive to his warnings that Iran is the greatest threat to American security, now that Russian President Vladimir Putin is stirring memories of the Cold War.
Netanyahu's leverage is also weakened after an intense White House lobbying effort thwarted a bid by hawks in the US Congress to tighten sanctions against Tehran.
The extension of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations will be determined by the upcoming meeting between presidents Mahmoud Abbas and Barack Obama, a Palestinian official said Sunday.
Representative at the Arab League Mohammad Sbeih told Ma’an that "extending negotiations ... is highly dependent on Abu Mazen’s (Abbas') visit to Washington and what will be proposed."
“Until now, (the position) is not to extended negotiations,” Sbeih said of an April deadline for agreeing a framework agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sbeih added that if Abbas wants to extend the negotiations he will propose that option to the Arab League, and it would be largely dependent on progress so far.
Sbeih explained that any deal would have to be based on the Arab Peace Initiative -- a 2002 offer by the Arab and Muslim world to recognize Israel in exchange for a just resolution on the conflict -- and “East Jerusalem, not Beit Hanina” as the capital of a Palestinian state.
“There will be no (recognition of) a Jewish state”, he added, referring to a key demand by Netanyahu's negotiators.
A meeting of Arab foreign ministers will be held on March 9 in which Abbas will brief them on the updates of the negotiations, Sbeih said.
He added that PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erekat has met with Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil El-Araby and Egyptian foreign minister Nabil Fahmi.
Erekat informed Arab officials that no written framework was proposed so far, and that “the general atmosphere is uncomfortable.”
Representative at the Arab League Mohammad Sbeih told Ma’an that "extending negotiations ... is highly dependent on Abu Mazen’s (Abbas') visit to Washington and what will be proposed."
“Until now, (the position) is not to extended negotiations,” Sbeih said of an April deadline for agreeing a framework agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sbeih added that if Abbas wants to extend the negotiations he will propose that option to the Arab League, and it would be largely dependent on progress so far.
Sbeih explained that any deal would have to be based on the Arab Peace Initiative -- a 2002 offer by the Arab and Muslim world to recognize Israel in exchange for a just resolution on the conflict -- and “East Jerusalem, not Beit Hanina” as the capital of a Palestinian state.
“There will be no (recognition of) a Jewish state”, he added, referring to a key demand by Netanyahu's negotiators.
A meeting of Arab foreign ministers will be held on March 9 in which Abbas will brief them on the updates of the negotiations, Sbeih said.
He added that PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erekat has met with Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil El-Araby and Egyptian foreign minister Nabil Fahmi.
Erekat informed Arab officials that no written framework was proposed so far, and that “the general atmosphere is uncomfortable.”
Director of Hamas' foreign relations office Osama Hamdan said that the US administration has to realize that its attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause would not be successful and would destabilize the situation further in the world. Hamadan made his remarks in a statement to Quds Press, commenting on the news talking about renewed American intentions to pressure the Palestinian Authority and the Israelis to sign a framework agreement soon in Washington.
"The American administration has to realize that its attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause will never be a successful mission because losing the Palestinian rights would not lead to stability in the region, and instead would target the global security," Hamadan stated.
The Hamas official stressed that the Palestinian resistance would not accept any concession on the Palestinian rights made by the Palestinian Authority and would continue its struggle against the occupation until the liberation of the whole Palestinian land.
He called on de facto president Mahmoud Abbas to uphold the national constants and reject all international and regional pressures trying to make him sign the US-drafted agreement.
"We, in Hamas, demand president Abbas to repudiate all pressures seeking to impose a solution waiving the rights and constants, and in case he did so and continued to uphold the constants, the resistance would stand by him," he affirmed.
"Recognizing a Jewish state means practically displacing the remaining Palestinians of 1948 and turning them into refugees, and means as well that the occupation entity would become an integral part of the region and this is something unacceptable," he said.
"The American administration has to realize that its attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause will never be a successful mission because losing the Palestinian rights would not lead to stability in the region, and instead would target the global security," Hamadan stated.
The Hamas official stressed that the Palestinian resistance would not accept any concession on the Palestinian rights made by the Palestinian Authority and would continue its struggle against the occupation until the liberation of the whole Palestinian land.
He called on de facto president Mahmoud Abbas to uphold the national constants and reject all international and regional pressures trying to make him sign the US-drafted agreement.
"We, in Hamas, demand president Abbas to repudiate all pressures seeking to impose a solution waiving the rights and constants, and in case he did so and continued to uphold the constants, the resistance would stand by him," he affirmed.
"Recognizing a Jewish state means practically displacing the remaining Palestinians of 1948 and turning them into refugees, and means as well that the occupation entity would become an integral part of the region and this is something unacceptable," he said.
2 mar 2014
Israel's prime minister pledged Sunday to resist "pressures" as he left for Washington on a visit expected to center on peace talks with the Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear dispute.
"I am now leaving on an important trip to the US where I will meet with President Barack Obama," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying as he boarded his plane.
"We will discuss the Iranian issue and the diplomatic process ... In recent years the state of Israel has been under various pressures. We have rejected them ... This is what has been and what will be."
Although Netanyahu would like the talks with Obama on Monday to focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions, the White House appears to have a different agenda.
The New York Times, citing senior US officials, reported earlier this week that Obama would press Netanyahu to agree on a framework for a conclusive round of peace talks with the Palestinians that is being drafted by Secretary of State John Kerry.
But top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot said the worsening crisis in the Ukraine might have changed the White House's plans.
"Contrary to reports that President Obama intends to engage directly in the negotiations, it seems that he is too busy with the crisis in Ukraine for that, and ... does not anticipate that such an effort ... has a very high chances of success," it wrote.
Direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, which began last July with the goal of reaching a deal within nine months, have made no visible progress.
Kerry is now focused on getting the two sides to agree on a framework proposal which would extend the deadline until the year's end.
Although the document has not yet been made public, it is understood to be a non-binding proposal laying out guidelines for negotiating the central issues of the conflict, such as borders, security, Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
The proposal, or its outline, is likely to be presented to Netanyahu next week and to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on March 17 when he meets Obama at the White House.
The aim is reportedly to secure an agreement before the end of March, when Israel is due to release a fourth and final batch of 26 veteran Palestinian security prisoners in line with commitments to Washington.
Left-leaning Israeli daily Haaretz, citing Israeli officials who met counterparts in Washington on Friday, said they "sensed pessimism regarding the possibility of reaching an framework agreement by the end of March."
While Kerry faces an uphill battle to win over a Palestinian leadership which has steadfastly refused any extension, following months of relentless Israeli settlement expansion, pundits said the prime minister was likely to agree, albeit with reservations.
"This is a crucial meeting with Obama, which is going to determine the shape of the framework for further negotiations," said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on US-Israeli relations at Bar Ilan University.
"What both Kerry and Obama are hoping to get is some kind of approval from Netanyahu for the document," he told AFP, saying the Israeli leader was likely to accept the framework rather than risk being blamed for the collapse of the talks.
'Change of script'
Netanyahu is likely to reprise his criticism of an interim agreement reached between world powers and Iran in November under which Tehran agreed to freeze or curb its controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
But Haaretz analyst Chemi Shalev said Russia's threatened intervention in Ukraine "changes the script" for Netanyahu, who will also meet with congressional leaders and deliver an address Tuesday to the annual conference of the powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.
"Netanyahu will have a harder time diverting anyone's attention to Iran or convincing American public opinion that Iran is the greatest danger facing the United States," he wrote.
"It is Putin who is now cast as the ultimate bad guy for America, while Iran's (President) Hassan Rouhani -- who continued his charm offensive on Saturday by disavowing nuclear weapons and reprimanding Iranian generals for their bellicosity -- isn't even a distant second."
"I am now leaving on an important trip to the US where I will meet with President Barack Obama," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying as he boarded his plane.
"We will discuss the Iranian issue and the diplomatic process ... In recent years the state of Israel has been under various pressures. We have rejected them ... This is what has been and what will be."
Although Netanyahu would like the talks with Obama on Monday to focus on Iran's nuclear ambitions, the White House appears to have a different agenda.
The New York Times, citing senior US officials, reported earlier this week that Obama would press Netanyahu to agree on a framework for a conclusive round of peace talks with the Palestinians that is being drafted by Secretary of State John Kerry.
But top-selling Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot said the worsening crisis in the Ukraine might have changed the White House's plans.
"Contrary to reports that President Obama intends to engage directly in the negotiations, it seems that he is too busy with the crisis in Ukraine for that, and ... does not anticipate that such an effort ... has a very high chances of success," it wrote.
Direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, which began last July with the goal of reaching a deal within nine months, have made no visible progress.
Kerry is now focused on getting the two sides to agree on a framework proposal which would extend the deadline until the year's end.
Although the document has not yet been made public, it is understood to be a non-binding proposal laying out guidelines for negotiating the central issues of the conflict, such as borders, security, Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
The proposal, or its outline, is likely to be presented to Netanyahu next week and to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on March 17 when he meets Obama at the White House.
The aim is reportedly to secure an agreement before the end of March, when Israel is due to release a fourth and final batch of 26 veteran Palestinian security prisoners in line with commitments to Washington.
Left-leaning Israeli daily Haaretz, citing Israeli officials who met counterparts in Washington on Friday, said they "sensed pessimism regarding the possibility of reaching an framework agreement by the end of March."
While Kerry faces an uphill battle to win over a Palestinian leadership which has steadfastly refused any extension, following months of relentless Israeli settlement expansion, pundits said the prime minister was likely to agree, albeit with reservations.
"This is a crucial meeting with Obama, which is going to determine the shape of the framework for further negotiations," said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on US-Israeli relations at Bar Ilan University.
"What both Kerry and Obama are hoping to get is some kind of approval from Netanyahu for the document," he told AFP, saying the Israeli leader was likely to accept the framework rather than risk being blamed for the collapse of the talks.
'Change of script'
Netanyahu is likely to reprise his criticism of an interim agreement reached between world powers and Iran in November under which Tehran agreed to freeze or curb its controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
But Haaretz analyst Chemi Shalev said Russia's threatened intervention in Ukraine "changes the script" for Netanyahu, who will also meet with congressional leaders and deliver an address Tuesday to the annual conference of the powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.
"Netanyahu will have a harder time diverting anyone's attention to Iran or convincing American public opinion that Iran is the greatest danger facing the United States," he wrote.
"It is Putin who is now cast as the ultimate bad guy for America, while Iran's (President) Hassan Rouhani -- who continued his charm offensive on Saturday by disavowing nuclear weapons and reprimanding Iranian generals for their bellicosity -- isn't even a distant second."
Palestinian Legislative Council member Samira Halayqeh said that the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah did not take any position in response to Israeli violations in Jerusalem "except tabling the file at the negotiating table." MP Halayqeh told Quds Press that there was nothing new in former Israeli premier Ehud Olmert's statements, in which he said that PA chief Mahmoud Abbas had accepted the division of Jerusalem under Israeli control, saying that the PA is totally absent about what is going on in Jerusalem.
The PA is only interested in making statements concerning negotiations, she added.
She said that Abbas has continued to choose the negotiation path, which persisted for 20 years without getting anything in favor of Jerusalem and in face of Israeli practices.
MP Halayqeh warned of Abbas' concessions on Palestinian constants in light of the region's political conditions.
In its turn, Palestinian government in Gaza has accused the Palestinian Authority of providing a green light to escalate Israeli violations in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem through negotiations and its statements in favor of the division of Jerusalem.
Dr. Ismail Radwan, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza, stated that the PA decision to continue negotiation with the occupation gives a green light to more Israeli violations in al-Aqsa Mosque.
He pointed out that discussing ways to enforce Israeli sovereignty over al-Aqsa Mosque in the Knesset came as part of Israeli schemes to Judaize Jerusalem and destroy al-Aqsa Mosque in order to build the alleged Temple on its ruins.
He condemned the Arab and Islamic countries' silence towards Israeli escalation against al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that their positions do not live up to Israeli threats to Jerusalem and the holy mosque.
The PA is only interested in making statements concerning negotiations, she added.
She said that Abbas has continued to choose the negotiation path, which persisted for 20 years without getting anything in favor of Jerusalem and in face of Israeli practices.
MP Halayqeh warned of Abbas' concessions on Palestinian constants in light of the region's political conditions.
In its turn, Palestinian government in Gaza has accused the Palestinian Authority of providing a green light to escalate Israeli violations in al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem through negotiations and its statements in favor of the division of Jerusalem.
Dr. Ismail Radwan, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza, stated that the PA decision to continue negotiation with the occupation gives a green light to more Israeli violations in al-Aqsa Mosque.
He pointed out that discussing ways to enforce Israeli sovereignty over al-Aqsa Mosque in the Knesset came as part of Israeli schemes to Judaize Jerusalem and destroy al-Aqsa Mosque in order to build the alleged Temple on its ruins.
He condemned the Arab and Islamic countries' silence towards Israeli escalation against al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that their positions do not live up to Israeli threats to Jerusalem and the holy mosque.
U.S intended to present the framework paper without the consent of the Israeli and Palestinian sides, despite some disputes in the white house, Maarive newspaper reported. U.S administration does not have any alternative plans in case the negotiations failed, it said, adding that U.S Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed the difficulty of releasing the third patch of Palestinian prisoners without signing the agreement.
Kerry is serious towards that and decided to submit the paper until March 28 which is the date scheduled for the release.
The newspaper quoted a senior Israeli source as saying, “ U.S is reluctant to submit the paper now and at what price.”,“ the problem lies in the lack of alternatives.”
In return for releasing pre-1948 Palestinian prisoners ,Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded a Palestinian recognition for a Jewish state and also Palestinian acceptance on the Israeli’s annexation of Jordan Valley.
Netanyahu is scheduled to leave for Washington on Sunday for talks with US President Barack Obama on the peace negotiations, while talks between Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and President Obama are slated for March 17.
Kerry is serious towards that and decided to submit the paper until March 28 which is the date scheduled for the release.
The newspaper quoted a senior Israeli source as saying, “ U.S is reluctant to submit the paper now and at what price.”,“ the problem lies in the lack of alternatives.”
In return for releasing pre-1948 Palestinian prisoners ,Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded a Palestinian recognition for a Jewish state and also Palestinian acceptance on the Israeli’s annexation of Jordan Valley.
Netanyahu is scheduled to leave for Washington on Sunday for talks with US President Barack Obama on the peace negotiations, while talks between Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and President Obama are slated for March 17.
1 mar 2014
Israeli former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert revealed that PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas "agreed to a Jewish Israeli serving as mayor of an umbrella municipality for Jerusalem that would govern the capitals of Israel and a Palestinian state", Israeli media sources said. Israeli Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted Olmert as saying that "Abbas agreed, during their negotiations that ended in September 2008, that while Jerusalem would be separated into two capitals, there would be an umbrella mayor, and given the Jewish majority in the city, he is likely to be Israeli".
In their negotiations, "neither Olmert nor Abbas defined what role the umbrella municipality would have over the two capitals, whether it would have proper administrative functions or be largely symbolic", Olmert said.
Olmert pointed out that he has proposed that Jerusalem’s Old City would be internationalized under the control of five countries: Israel, the new Palestinian state, the United States, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, adding that Abbas agreed that "three out of the five countries that would be part of the international trusteeship were Muslim."
Regarding Palestinian refugees' right of return, Olmert said he "offered to accept 1,000 a year for five years on a humanitarian basis, not on a Palestinian right of return. He said that Abbas expected more, but he never said how many more."
"Abu Mazen told me he does not want to change the demographics of Israel,” he continued. “I think he was very forthcoming."
In their negotiations, "neither Olmert nor Abbas defined what role the umbrella municipality would have over the two capitals, whether it would have proper administrative functions or be largely symbolic", Olmert said.
Olmert pointed out that he has proposed that Jerusalem’s Old City would be internationalized under the control of five countries: Israel, the new Palestinian state, the United States, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, adding that Abbas agreed that "three out of the five countries that would be part of the international trusteeship were Muslim."
Regarding Palestinian refugees' right of return, Olmert said he "offered to accept 1,000 a year for five years on a humanitarian basis, not on a Palestinian right of return. He said that Abbas expected more, but he never said how many more."
"Abu Mazen told me he does not want to change the demographics of Israel,” he continued. “I think he was very forthcoming."
28 feb 2014
Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouthi said that Israeli killing crimes against the Palestinians have been escalated since the peace talks started.
40 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since it resumes its negotiations with the Palestinian authority most recently.
Commenting on the recent Israeli killing of Moataz Washha in Birzeit, he said that the Israeli occupation exploits the ongoing negotiations in order to expand settlements and escalate its repression and assaults against the Palestinian people.
He pointed out that Moataz was killed in a cold-blooded crime committed by Israeli forces, considering it an execution with malice aforethought.
Barghouthi called for holding Israeli occupation accountable in International Criminal Court for its continued crimes against Palestinian people under negotiations' cover.
40 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since it resumes its negotiations with the Palestinian authority most recently.
Commenting on the recent Israeli killing of Moataz Washha in Birzeit, he said that the Israeli occupation exploits the ongoing negotiations in order to expand settlements and escalate its repression and assaults against the Palestinian people.
He pointed out that Moataz was killed in a cold-blooded crime committed by Israeli forces, considering it an execution with malice aforethought.
Barghouthi called for holding Israeli occupation accountable in International Criminal Court for its continued crimes against Palestinian people under negotiations' cover.
U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they meet at the White House next Monday, about his plan if the current negotiations fail. While, Obama will ask Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the same thing when he comes calling at the White House on March 17.
Haaretz reported Friday that "Obama will ask Netanyahu what he plans to do about the Palestinian population in the West Bank, how he'll deal with the Palestinian plans to seek statehood through various UN agencies and how he intends to stop the increasing boycotts against Israel and the deterioration of its position in the European Union."
For Abbas, Obama will Ask him "how he thinks unilateral UN moves will bring him closer to an independent state and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the West Bank, and how he intends to pay the salaries of tens of thousands of PA workers if the United States and the European Union cut off his funding."
Haaretz added that Obama's message to the two leaders is that they have two options: They can cooperate with the U.S. initiative and make progress, or go it alone and be forced to deal with the ensuing reality.
Netanyahu would like to focus his meeting with Obama on Iran, but the White House plans to focus mainly on the Palestinian issue.
According to Haaretz, Obama's meeting with Abbas is much more critical than his meeting with Netanyahu., due to his latest sessions in Paris that were not successful. Abbas rejected many of Kerry's proposals and harshly accused the Americans of repeating their tricks of the past by presenting Israeli proposals as if they were American ones.
It's worth mentioning that the framework document for negotiations that Kerry and special envoy Martin Indyk is meant to provide guidelines for continuing the peace talks and reaching a permanent settlement by the end of 2014.
The document will refer to all the core issues. Some will be addressed in more detail, such as setting the boundaries of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines with land swaps, security arrangements in the Jordan Valley, and the mutual recognition of a Jewish state and a Palestinian state. Other issues, like a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem and the refugee problem, will be addressed more vaguely, Haaretz concluded.
Haaretz reported Friday that "Obama will ask Netanyahu what he plans to do about the Palestinian population in the West Bank, how he'll deal with the Palestinian plans to seek statehood through various UN agencies and how he intends to stop the increasing boycotts against Israel and the deterioration of its position in the European Union."
For Abbas, Obama will Ask him "how he thinks unilateral UN moves will bring him closer to an independent state and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the West Bank, and how he intends to pay the salaries of tens of thousands of PA workers if the United States and the European Union cut off his funding."
Haaretz added that Obama's message to the two leaders is that they have two options: They can cooperate with the U.S. initiative and make progress, or go it alone and be forced to deal with the ensuing reality.
Netanyahu would like to focus his meeting with Obama on Iran, but the White House plans to focus mainly on the Palestinian issue.
According to Haaretz, Obama's meeting with Abbas is much more critical than his meeting with Netanyahu., due to his latest sessions in Paris that were not successful. Abbas rejected many of Kerry's proposals and harshly accused the Americans of repeating their tricks of the past by presenting Israeli proposals as if they were American ones.
It's worth mentioning that the framework document for negotiations that Kerry and special envoy Martin Indyk is meant to provide guidelines for continuing the peace talks and reaching a permanent settlement by the end of 2014.
The document will refer to all the core issues. Some will be addressed in more detail, such as setting the boundaries of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines with land swaps, security arrangements in the Jordan Valley, and the mutual recognition of a Jewish state and a Palestinian state. Other issues, like a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem and the refugee problem, will be addressed more vaguely, Haaretz concluded.
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Amin strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset's attempts to enforce its sovereignty at the Aqsa Mosque in light of the persistent Jewish desecration of the Mosque.
Amin said that Israeli serious escalation against the Aqsa Mosque came as a provocation to Muslims' feelings and a flagrant violation to UN resolutions and international conventions.
In a statements on Thursday, Amin confirmed that Israel's decision to enforce its sovereignty over the Mosque came as part of the Israeli attempts to impose fait accompli at the Mosque as a prelude to Judaizing the whole city of Jerusalem and dividing the Aqsa holy mosque.
He held the occupation fully responsible for its continued break-ins and assaults on Palestinian worshipers, saying that this Israeli policy not only undermines peace process but it also threatens stability in the region.
Amin called on ambassadors of Islamic countries to the UN to hold a meeting to discuss ways to convene an urgent Security Council meeting over Israel's violations in occupied Jerusalem.
OIC Secretary-General called on the international community and UN Security Council to bear their responsibilities and put an end to Israel's violations against places of worships, especially the Aqsa Mosque.
Amin said that Israeli serious escalation against the Aqsa Mosque came as a provocation to Muslims' feelings and a flagrant violation to UN resolutions and international conventions.
In a statements on Thursday, Amin confirmed that Israel's decision to enforce its sovereignty over the Mosque came as part of the Israeli attempts to impose fait accompli at the Mosque as a prelude to Judaizing the whole city of Jerusalem and dividing the Aqsa holy mosque.
He held the occupation fully responsible for its continued break-ins and assaults on Palestinian worshipers, saying that this Israeli policy not only undermines peace process but it also threatens stability in the region.
Amin called on ambassadors of Islamic countries to the UN to hold a meeting to discuss ways to convene an urgent Security Council meeting over Israel's violations in occupied Jerusalem.
OIC Secretary-General called on the international community and UN Security Council to bear their responsibilities and put an end to Israel's violations against places of worships, especially the Aqsa Mosque.
The Israeli occupation authority continued to confiscate Palestinian lands and properties aiming to expand settlements and limit Palestinian expansion in their lands.
Palestinian researcher and expert in settlements affairs Ahmad Sob-Laban revealed that Israeli bulldozers have started implementing Overlooking Central Park project in the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives in occupied Jerusalem.
He has confirmed on Thursday that the Israeli settlement project aims at linking Beit Erot settlement with the Gethsemane church in order to connect between settlements in Silwan and Ras al-Amud, and outposts in Sawana.
He pointed out that the settlement project is carried out under the supervision of Israeli Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home party.
Approximately $ 21 million shekels have been allocated for this project in order to promote Israel's tourism sector according to Israeli claims, he said.
He noted that the project aims to accelerate Judaization schemes in occupied Jerusalem.
Palestinian researcher and expert in settlements affairs Ahmad Sob-Laban revealed that Israeli bulldozers have started implementing Overlooking Central Park project in the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives in occupied Jerusalem.
He has confirmed on Thursday that the Israeli settlement project aims at linking Beit Erot settlement with the Gethsemane church in order to connect between settlements in Silwan and Ras al-Amud, and outposts in Sawana.
He pointed out that the settlement project is carried out under the supervision of Israeli Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home party.
Approximately $ 21 million shekels have been allocated for this project in order to promote Israel's tourism sector according to Israeli claims, he said.
He noted that the project aims to accelerate Judaization schemes in occupied Jerusalem.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat rejected on Thursday the United States' decision to extend the April deadline for reaching a framework peace deal for nine months.
The US stated that the reason for the extension was because Israel was acting in good faith.
However, Erekat argued that "there is no meaning to prolonging the negotiation, even for one more additional hour, if Israel, represented by its current government, continues to disregard international law." He made reference to Israel's continued construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Israeli Army Radio reported last week that Washington will demand Israel implement a partial settlement freeze once US Secretary of State John Kerry presents his framework for extending peace talks.
It is also worth noting that US President Barack Obama intends to get more involved in the peace talks, beginning with issuing an urgent appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they meet next month. The New York Times reports that Obama will push Netanyahu to agree to the proposed framework agreement currently being drafted by Kerry, who is leading the current round of negotiations.
Erekat also states that should the peace negotiations fail, Palestinians would call for an economic boycott of Israel.
American officials are concerned about the remarks made by Erekat, stating that "it's important to create a positive atmosphere around these discussions. The personal attacks, quite frankly, are unhelpful, and Kerry will make clear that these kinds of comments are disappointing, that they are unhelpful, especially coming from someone involved in the negotiations, indeed the lead negotiator."
The US stated that the reason for the extension was because Israel was acting in good faith.
However, Erekat argued that "there is no meaning to prolonging the negotiation, even for one more additional hour, if Israel, represented by its current government, continues to disregard international law." He made reference to Israel's continued construction of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Israeli Army Radio reported last week that Washington will demand Israel implement a partial settlement freeze once US Secretary of State John Kerry presents his framework for extending peace talks.
It is also worth noting that US President Barack Obama intends to get more involved in the peace talks, beginning with issuing an urgent appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they meet next month. The New York Times reports that Obama will push Netanyahu to agree to the proposed framework agreement currently being drafted by Kerry, who is leading the current round of negotiations.
Erekat also states that should the peace negotiations fail, Palestinians would call for an economic boycott of Israel.
American officials are concerned about the remarks made by Erekat, stating that "it's important to create a positive atmosphere around these discussions. The personal attacks, quite frankly, are unhelpful, and Kerry will make clear that these kinds of comments are disappointing, that they are unhelpful, especially coming from someone involved in the negotiations, indeed the lead negotiator."