28 july 2015
Hamas Movement warned Monday the Palestinian Authority on talks resumption with Israeli occupation.
Speaking to Quds Press, the leader in Hamas Movement Ismail Radwan warned the PA of resuming peace talks with Israel whether publicly or secretly.
Talks resumption means giving up more national constants and rights and more kneeling and submissiveness to the Israeli enemy, he said.
Radwan stressed the urgent need for convening the provisional leadership of the PLO and achieving national reconciliation.
Earlier, Israeli media sources revealed that Israeli Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom held a secret meeting with chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat in the Jordanian capital of Amman last week.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to renew the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which has been stalled for more than a year.
Speaking to Quds Press, the leader in Hamas Movement Ismail Radwan warned the PA of resuming peace talks with Israel whether publicly or secretly.
Talks resumption means giving up more national constants and rights and more kneeling and submissiveness to the Israeli enemy, he said.
Radwan stressed the urgent need for convening the provisional leadership of the PLO and achieving national reconciliation.
Earlier, Israeli media sources revealed that Israeli Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom held a secret meeting with chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat in the Jordanian capital of Amman last week.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to renew the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which has been stalled for more than a year.
27 july 2015
Saeb Erekat, left, and Silvan Shalom
Silvan Shalom and Saeb Erekat meet in Amman to 'break the ice' in attempt to restart peace talks; Netanyahu, Abbas okayed meeting.
Minister Silvan Shalom, who was appointed Israel's negotiator with the Palestinians, met in secret with his counterpart in the Palestinian Authority, Saeb Erekat, in Jordan on Thursday.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were aware of the meeting, which was held in Amman, and approved it. The meeting was held in an attempt to once again restart the halted peace process. Israeli officials said "the meeting was meant to break the ice and see how we could move forward."
Last weekend, Netanyahu and Abbas spoke on the phone for the first time since the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli yeshiva students over a year ago. This call eventually helped lead to the meeting. Since the fourth Netanyahu government's formation, Minister Shalom has been saying that if the Palestinians were serious and willing to hold a true negotiation without preconditions, they will find a real partner in Israel
Israel has been under pressure to take confidence-building measures towards the Palestinians. Shalom, meanwhile, asserted that confidence-building measures and eased restrictions should be based on reciprocity. He said it did not make sense for Israel to take confidence-building measures on the one hand, while the Palestinians turn to the International Criminal Court at The Hague and to FIFA on the other hand to continue making unilateral moves against Israel.
Silvan Shalom and Saeb Erekat meet in Amman to 'break the ice' in attempt to restart peace talks; Netanyahu, Abbas okayed meeting.
Minister Silvan Shalom, who was appointed Israel's negotiator with the Palestinians, met in secret with his counterpart in the Palestinian Authority, Saeb Erekat, in Jordan on Thursday.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were aware of the meeting, which was held in Amman, and approved it. The meeting was held in an attempt to once again restart the halted peace process. Israeli officials said "the meeting was meant to break the ice and see how we could move forward."
Last weekend, Netanyahu and Abbas spoke on the phone for the first time since the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli yeshiva students over a year ago. This call eventually helped lead to the meeting. Since the fourth Netanyahu government's formation, Minister Shalom has been saying that if the Palestinians were serious and willing to hold a true negotiation without preconditions, they will find a real partner in Israel
Israel has been under pressure to take confidence-building measures towards the Palestinians. Shalom, meanwhile, asserted that confidence-building measures and eased restrictions should be based on reciprocity. He said it did not make sense for Israel to take confidence-building measures on the one hand, while the Palestinians turn to the International Criminal Court at The Hague and to FIFA on the other hand to continue making unilateral moves against Israel.
25 july 2015
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) on Thursday started to bulldoze Palestinian plots of land in Ras al-Amoud neighborhood east of the Old City of Jerusalem as a prelude to annexing them to Ma'ale ha-Zeitim settlement.
The Israeli district committee for planning and building in occupied Jerusalem had approved earlier this year a plan to expand Ma'ale ha-Zeitim and later chose an Israeli company to carry out the project.
The project includes the construction of a building and a religious site for Jewish rituals and will be established on two dunums of land located near the previous police station on the southern side of the settlement.
The Israeli district committee for planning and building in occupied Jerusalem had approved earlier this year a plan to expand Ma'ale ha-Zeitim and later chose an Israeli company to carry out the project.
The project includes the construction of a building and a religious site for Jewish rituals and will be established on two dunums of land located near the previous police station on the southern side of the settlement.
24 july 2015
PLO Chief Negotiator, Saeb Erekat, called on the international community on Friday to immediately intervene and demand the Israeli government hault its illegal settlement activity.
Erekat made his demand in reference to the most recent bid to build new illegal settlement units, an order to demolish the Susiya village in Hebron and the expulsion of Bedouins from the al-Eizariya town in Jerusalem and the ongoing apartheid policy.
Erekat’s statement came during a meeting with Fernando Gentilini, the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, delegation of the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament, the charge d'affaires of the American consul, the Italian consul and the French consul separately.
Erekat added that days after the EU demanded the Israeli government to stop its settlement activity Israel responded with a bid to build 906 settlement units.
He called upon the EU to hold the Israeli government accountable for its ongoing actions and policies violating the international law and legitimacy.
Recently, the EU passed a policy implementing labels on products produced in illegal settlements, and also received pressure from a large EU think-tank which released a report urging the EU to begin differentiating between business done with Israel and its illegal settlements.
Erekat made his demand in reference to the most recent bid to build new illegal settlement units, an order to demolish the Susiya village in Hebron and the expulsion of Bedouins from the al-Eizariya town in Jerusalem and the ongoing apartheid policy.
Erekat’s statement came during a meeting with Fernando Gentilini, the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, delegation of the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament, the charge d'affaires of the American consul, the Italian consul and the French consul separately.
Erekat added that days after the EU demanded the Israeli government to stop its settlement activity Israel responded with a bid to build 906 settlement units.
He called upon the EU to hold the Israeli government accountable for its ongoing actions and policies violating the international law and legitimacy.
Recently, the EU passed a policy implementing labels on products produced in illegal settlements, and also received pressure from a large EU think-tank which released a report urging the EU to begin differentiating between business done with Israel and its illegal settlements.
Israel's Civil Administration is advancing plans for the development of 1,065 housing units in eight different settlements throughout occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, a settlement watchdog announced on Thursday.
The civil administration -- Israel's governing body for the occupied West Bank -- approved 15 plans for various planning stages in the settlements at hand, Peace Now said.
According to Ma'an News Agency, approved plans included legalizing 228 already existing housing units that have been completed in settlements, as well as 541 new housing units yet to be constructed.
An infrastructure plan connecting 296 housing units was also given the go ahead.
One of the plans passed by the administration will begin construction of 24 housing units, in two new buildings, at the Bet El settlement near the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Commonly known as the "Dreinoff buildings," the two new buildings will join others built on private Palestinian lands that are supposed to be demolished by the end of this month after a ruling by the Supreme Court, Peace Now said.
"Following yesterday's approval of the plan, the State is expected to request the Supreme Court to reverse its ruling," the group added.
The right-wing government pieced together by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in March is largely comprised of MK's that promote rapid settlement expansion throughout occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and publicly oppose an independent Palestinian state.
In an ongoing trend, pro-settlement groups have yielded substantial power from the government. Peace Now reported that "in recent weeks settler groups have put heavy pressure on the government, including numerous demonstrations throughout the West Bank, not to demolish the buildings."
Over the last two decades, Jewish settlements have expanded throughout the West Bank and have made the potential for a contiguous Palestinian state near-impossible if they remain.
The Israeli government provides separate system of infrastructure for those living in the Jewish-only settlements, connecting over 500,000 settlers to roads, electricity, water, and sewage systems that remain inaccessible to neighboring Palestinians.
Recent plans passed by the Civil Administration, also included the legalization of 179 housing units in the settlement Beit Arie, 24 housing units in Psagot, and 22 housing units at Givon HaHadasha.
Last week, Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, approved the construction of two new roads that will bypass Hawara, a Palestinian town south of Nablus, and El-Aroub, a Palestinian refugee camp south of Bethlehem, the group added.
While settler groups "lobbied furiously" last year for the two roads, then-Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid reportedly rejected the demands on the grounds that their construction would be too expensive.
"Now, with the new government at place, the approval for the roads has been granted," Peace Now said.
Israeli Authorities Announce 906 New Settlement Units
In defiance of international law, Israeli occupation authorities approved, on Thursday, 906 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
It is reported, according to Days of Palestine, that the Israeli Supreme Court ruled several buildings in the Jewish-only Beit El settlement to be illegal and consequently ordered their demolition.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon approved the construction permits of the new settlement units.
The Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank will include, in its announcement, the approval of 296 units in Beit El, which rests several kilometres north of Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government.
According to the Israeli online newspaper "Times of Israel", the new units will be built on a soon-to-be-evacuated Border Police base. The construction is compensation for Beit El agreeing to withdraw from five buildings it previously held on private Palestinian territory.
Other construction will take place in Ma’aleh Adumin, 112 new units, and Givat Zeev, 381 new units.
Both settlements are less than 10 kilometres from Jerusalem and considered within the major settlement blocs the Israeli occupation will seek to keep in any future agreement with the Palestinian.
The civil administration -- Israel's governing body for the occupied West Bank -- approved 15 plans for various planning stages in the settlements at hand, Peace Now said.
According to Ma'an News Agency, approved plans included legalizing 228 already existing housing units that have been completed in settlements, as well as 541 new housing units yet to be constructed.
An infrastructure plan connecting 296 housing units was also given the go ahead.
One of the plans passed by the administration will begin construction of 24 housing units, in two new buildings, at the Bet El settlement near the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Commonly known as the "Dreinoff buildings," the two new buildings will join others built on private Palestinian lands that are supposed to be demolished by the end of this month after a ruling by the Supreme Court, Peace Now said.
"Following yesterday's approval of the plan, the State is expected to request the Supreme Court to reverse its ruling," the group added.
The right-wing government pieced together by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in March is largely comprised of MK's that promote rapid settlement expansion throughout occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and publicly oppose an independent Palestinian state.
In an ongoing trend, pro-settlement groups have yielded substantial power from the government. Peace Now reported that "in recent weeks settler groups have put heavy pressure on the government, including numerous demonstrations throughout the West Bank, not to demolish the buildings."
Over the last two decades, Jewish settlements have expanded throughout the West Bank and have made the potential for a contiguous Palestinian state near-impossible if they remain.
The Israeli government provides separate system of infrastructure for those living in the Jewish-only settlements, connecting over 500,000 settlers to roads, electricity, water, and sewage systems that remain inaccessible to neighboring Palestinians.
Recent plans passed by the Civil Administration, also included the legalization of 179 housing units in the settlement Beit Arie, 24 housing units in Psagot, and 22 housing units at Givon HaHadasha.
Last week, Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, approved the construction of two new roads that will bypass Hawara, a Palestinian town south of Nablus, and El-Aroub, a Palestinian refugee camp south of Bethlehem, the group added.
While settler groups "lobbied furiously" last year for the two roads, then-Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid reportedly rejected the demands on the grounds that their construction would be too expensive.
"Now, with the new government at place, the approval for the roads has been granted," Peace Now said.
Israeli Authorities Announce 906 New Settlement Units
In defiance of international law, Israeli occupation authorities approved, on Thursday, 906 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
It is reported, according to Days of Palestine, that the Israeli Supreme Court ruled several buildings in the Jewish-only Beit El settlement to be illegal and consequently ordered their demolition.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon approved the construction permits of the new settlement units.
The Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank will include, in its announcement, the approval of 296 units in Beit El, which rests several kilometres north of Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government.
According to the Israeli online newspaper "Times of Israel", the new units will be built on a soon-to-be-evacuated Border Police base. The construction is compensation for Beit El agreeing to withdraw from five buildings it previously held on private Palestinian territory.
Other construction will take place in Ma’aleh Adumin, 112 new units, and Givat Zeev, 381 new units.
Both settlements are less than 10 kilometres from Jerusalem and considered within the major settlement blocs the Israeli occupation will seek to keep in any future agreement with the Palestinian.
22 july 2015
Subcommittee on settlements to discuss new housing units in Beit El, Ma'aleh Adumim, Givat Ze'ev, Beit Aryeh after a year without new construction.
The subcommittee for settlements within the Israeli Civil Administration was expected to approve on Wednesday the construction of hundreds of housing units in the West Bank, ending a year-long unofficial freeze.
The subcommittee's hearing will also deal with the two Dreinoff buildings in Beit El, after a Supreme Court ruling to demolish them by the end of the month led to wide-scale protest from settlers. Over the past week, settlers upped their rhetoric against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who they say gave the order to freeze construction in the West Bank.
They sent a letter to Likud MKs with the headline "Netanyahu is suffocating the settlements and the Likud remains silent?"
The settlers asserted that a decision in their favor at the subcommittee meeting will be an attempt by the defense minister to fix the strained relationship between the settlers and the prime minister. The freeze in settlement construction came to the fore last week when, according to settler leaders, Netanyahu told them: "We cannot develop the settlements further, but rather need to preserve what we have."
The Likud party denied the comment attributed to Netanyahu, while the head of the Har Hebron regional council, Yochai Damari, said that "the ramifications of deciding to freeze settlement planning and building in Samaria will hurt many communities." The subcommittee is expected to approve, along with the Dreinoff buildings, some 296 homes to be built on land near Beit El currently housing a Border Police base that is to be vacated as part of the evacuation agreement of several buildings in the Ulpana neighborhood in 2012.
The subcommittee will also discuss the construction of 112 housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, 381 in Givat Ze'ev and 27 housing units in the settlement Beit Aryeh in the southwestern Samaria. The subcommittee will also receive requests to approve dozens of housing units that have already been built in Psagot, and 22 units in Giv'on HaHadasha.
It will also receive plans for the development of the Karnei Shomron industrial area, the expansion of the "Makor Haim" yeshiva in Neve Daniel (where Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel studied), and converting land from an open private area to an area where public institutions and other structures can be built.
Left-wing NGO Peace Now said in response, "It is a black day for the two-state vision. The settlers' threats have proven themselves once again and the government is once again accelerating construction across the territories and in isolated settlements. "
The subcommittee for settlements within the Israeli Civil Administration was expected to approve on Wednesday the construction of hundreds of housing units in the West Bank, ending a year-long unofficial freeze.
The subcommittee's hearing will also deal with the two Dreinoff buildings in Beit El, after a Supreme Court ruling to demolish them by the end of the month led to wide-scale protest from settlers. Over the past week, settlers upped their rhetoric against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who they say gave the order to freeze construction in the West Bank.
They sent a letter to Likud MKs with the headline "Netanyahu is suffocating the settlements and the Likud remains silent?"
The settlers asserted that a decision in their favor at the subcommittee meeting will be an attempt by the defense minister to fix the strained relationship between the settlers and the prime minister. The freeze in settlement construction came to the fore last week when, according to settler leaders, Netanyahu told them: "We cannot develop the settlements further, but rather need to preserve what we have."
The Likud party denied the comment attributed to Netanyahu, while the head of the Har Hebron regional council, Yochai Damari, said that "the ramifications of deciding to freeze settlement planning and building in Samaria will hurt many communities." The subcommittee is expected to approve, along with the Dreinoff buildings, some 296 homes to be built on land near Beit El currently housing a Border Police base that is to be vacated as part of the evacuation agreement of several buildings in the Ulpana neighborhood in 2012.
The subcommittee will also discuss the construction of 112 housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, 381 in Givat Ze'ev and 27 housing units in the settlement Beit Aryeh in the southwestern Samaria. The subcommittee will also receive requests to approve dozens of housing units that have already been built in Psagot, and 22 units in Giv'on HaHadasha.
It will also receive plans for the development of the Karnei Shomron industrial area, the expansion of the "Makor Haim" yeshiva in Neve Daniel (where Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel studied), and converting land from an open private area to an area where public institutions and other structures can be built.
Left-wing NGO Peace Now said in response, "It is a black day for the two-state vision. The settlers' threats have proven themselves once again and the government is once again accelerating construction across the territories and in isolated settlements. "
Israel's Civil Administration in the West Bank is slated to allot permits towards the construction of 906 new housing units on Thursday in the first such authorization in a year, the Haaretz news website reported Wednesday.
The permits are being moved forward by war minister Moshe Ya’alon in a bid to lessen the blow of a High Court ruling that ordered the demolition of two illegal structures in the settlement of Beit El.
According to Haaretz, the Civil Administration's planning and building committee on Wednesday will issue 296 permits for units in Beit El, which will be constructed on a Border Police base that will be evacuated. The permits come after Beit El agreed to clear out five structures that were built on private Palestinian land.
Other settlements that will receive permits include Ma'ale Adumim, with 112 new units; Givat Zeev, with 381 units; Psagot, with 24 units; and Beit Arieh, with 27 units.
In addition, 22 units that were built illegally in the settlement of Giv'on will receive retroactive approval, as well as another 179 units built 20 years ago in Ofarim.
Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked on Tuesday set up a committee intended to legalize West Bank illegal outposts and to determine which land is privately owned, claiming many tracts are of indeterminate status.
The Israeli Knesset is also set to discuss a legislation to resume the transfer of funds to the settlement department so as to enhance the outposts’ infrastructure.
Israel to confirm 886 new West Bank settlement units
It is expected that Planning Council of the Civil Administration in the Israeli army will today confirm a plan to build 886 new settlement units in the West Bank after it failed last year to approve any new building projects.
According to today’s issue of Haaretz newspaper, a number of these new units will be built in the established settlement of Man’azleh.
It is also expected that the Council will retroactively approve around 180 units built approximately 20 years ago in Efraim settlement without permits, as well as two buildings in Bet El settlement, according to orders recently handed down by the Israeli Supreme Court.
Settlements are illegal under international law and are a controversial point in all attempts at peace negotiations.
The permits are being moved forward by war minister Moshe Ya’alon in a bid to lessen the blow of a High Court ruling that ordered the demolition of two illegal structures in the settlement of Beit El.
According to Haaretz, the Civil Administration's planning and building committee on Wednesday will issue 296 permits for units in Beit El, which will be constructed on a Border Police base that will be evacuated. The permits come after Beit El agreed to clear out five structures that were built on private Palestinian land.
Other settlements that will receive permits include Ma'ale Adumim, with 112 new units; Givat Zeev, with 381 units; Psagot, with 24 units; and Beit Arieh, with 27 units.
In addition, 22 units that were built illegally in the settlement of Giv'on will receive retroactive approval, as well as another 179 units built 20 years ago in Ofarim.
Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked on Tuesday set up a committee intended to legalize West Bank illegal outposts and to determine which land is privately owned, claiming many tracts are of indeterminate status.
The Israeli Knesset is also set to discuss a legislation to resume the transfer of funds to the settlement department so as to enhance the outposts’ infrastructure.
Israel to confirm 886 new West Bank settlement units
It is expected that Planning Council of the Civil Administration in the Israeli army will today confirm a plan to build 886 new settlement units in the West Bank after it failed last year to approve any new building projects.
According to today’s issue of Haaretz newspaper, a number of these new units will be built in the established settlement of Man’azleh.
It is also expected that the Council will retroactively approve around 180 units built approximately 20 years ago in Efraim settlement without permits, as well as two buildings in Bet El settlement, according to orders recently handed down by the Israeli Supreme Court.
Settlements are illegal under international law and are a controversial point in all attempts at peace negotiations.
20 july 2015
A meeting of EU foreign ministers blasts Israel for what it says are actions that 'seriously threaten the two-state solution', while embracing a new international peace plan that would bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.
The foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday discussed a new plan to push Israeli-Palestinian peace, and did not hold back on listing what they perceived to be obstacles to peace, including what they termed "forced transfers", settlements, and the building of the "separation barrier" beyond the green line.
A list of decisions made at the meeting stated that among other things, the EU "calls on Israeli authorities to halt plans for forced transfer of population and demolition of Palestinian housing and infrastructure in the Susya and Abu Nwar communities."
The decision went on to state that the EU "reiterates its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscation – including of EU funded projects – evictions, forced transfers including of Bedouins, illegal outposts, settler violence and restrictions of movement and access."
The statement concluded that "these actions seriously threaten the two-state solution."
The ministers also condemned recent violence emanating from Gaza: "Recent rocket fire by militant groups is unacceptable and underlines again the danger of escalation," they warned.
Peace Proposal
The same meeting saw EU diplomats discuss the new push towards Israeli-Palestinian peace through international organizations.
"The EU, notably through the action of its recently appointed Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, will work actively on a renewed multilateral approach to the peace process in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including partners in the Quartet, notably the US, in the region and the United Nations Security Council," read the document.
Building on a French proposal, the EU foreign ministers agreed to create an "international support group" more than a year after the collapse of a US-brokered peace push envisaging a Palestinian state co-existing with Israel. The EU wants to open the door to more countries to get involved.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius recently presented the Arab League with a detailed plan to renew peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The plan stipulates the formation of a Palestinian state in the pre-1967 lines, with swaps of mutually agreed upon lands similar in size, while taking into account Israel's security needs.
France has said that if a two-state solution was not reached by the end of the allotted 18 month period of negotiations, France would announce its official recognition of the State of Palestine.
'Diplomacy works'
"This week tells us that diplomacy in the long run can deliver," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, referring to the July 14 deal in which Iran agreed to curb its disputed nuclear program in return for an end to sanctions.
The EU foreign ministers' plan envisages obtaining formal approval for the so-called support group at the UN General Assembly in New York in September, then a UN Security Council resolution to set parameters for a peace deal. Deep internal divisions within the 28-nation EU over Middle East policy, which limit its ability to take an active role, are among the reasons for seeking an international coalition.
Participants in the Iran nuclear accord were world powers Russia, China, the United States, Britain, France and Germany. EU diplomats see a chance to involve many more countries than those in the Middle East Quartet – the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia – that has promoted Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking with little practical effect.
Under the EU proposal, the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the larger European economies including Spain and Italy, and Arab nations could play a bigger role.
Mogherini, who met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in May, sees a chance for EU diplomacy in the absence of a new diplomatic initiative from Washington as President Barack Obama approaches the end of his final term. While the central players in the nuclear negotiations were Iran and the United States, senior EU officials played a central role in mediating negotiations, becoming the unsung heroes of the deal and giving EU diplomats confidence to do more abroad.
"The (Israeli-Palestinian) peace process is at a standstill. The situation is bad. Europe should help both parties to take steps to overcome the impasse," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
The foreign ministers of the European Union on Monday discussed a new plan to push Israeli-Palestinian peace, and did not hold back on listing what they perceived to be obstacles to peace, including what they termed "forced transfers", settlements, and the building of the "separation barrier" beyond the green line.
A list of decisions made at the meeting stated that among other things, the EU "calls on Israeli authorities to halt plans for forced transfer of population and demolition of Palestinian housing and infrastructure in the Susya and Abu Nwar communities."
The decision went on to state that the EU "reiterates its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscation – including of EU funded projects – evictions, forced transfers including of Bedouins, illegal outposts, settler violence and restrictions of movement and access."
The statement concluded that "these actions seriously threaten the two-state solution."
The ministers also condemned recent violence emanating from Gaza: "Recent rocket fire by militant groups is unacceptable and underlines again the danger of escalation," they warned.
Peace Proposal
The same meeting saw EU diplomats discuss the new push towards Israeli-Palestinian peace through international organizations.
"The EU, notably through the action of its recently appointed Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, will work actively on a renewed multilateral approach to the peace process in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including partners in the Quartet, notably the US, in the region and the United Nations Security Council," read the document.
Building on a French proposal, the EU foreign ministers agreed to create an "international support group" more than a year after the collapse of a US-brokered peace push envisaging a Palestinian state co-existing with Israel. The EU wants to open the door to more countries to get involved.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius recently presented the Arab League with a detailed plan to renew peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The plan stipulates the formation of a Palestinian state in the pre-1967 lines, with swaps of mutually agreed upon lands similar in size, while taking into account Israel's security needs.
France has said that if a two-state solution was not reached by the end of the allotted 18 month period of negotiations, France would announce its official recognition of the State of Palestine.
'Diplomacy works'
"This week tells us that diplomacy in the long run can deliver," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, referring to the July 14 deal in which Iran agreed to curb its disputed nuclear program in return for an end to sanctions.
The EU foreign ministers' plan envisages obtaining formal approval for the so-called support group at the UN General Assembly in New York in September, then a UN Security Council resolution to set parameters for a peace deal. Deep internal divisions within the 28-nation EU over Middle East policy, which limit its ability to take an active role, are among the reasons for seeking an international coalition.
Participants in the Iran nuclear accord were world powers Russia, China, the United States, Britain, France and Germany. EU diplomats see a chance to involve many more countries than those in the Middle East Quartet – the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia – that has promoted Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking with little practical effect.
Under the EU proposal, the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the larger European economies including Spain and Italy, and Arab nations could play a bigger role.
Mogherini, who met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in May, sees a chance for EU diplomacy in the absence of a new diplomatic initiative from Washington as President Barack Obama approaches the end of his final term. While the central players in the nuclear negotiations were Iran and the United States, senior EU officials played a central role in mediating negotiations, becoming the unsung heroes of the deal and giving EU diplomats confidence to do more abroad.
"The (Israeli-Palestinian) peace process is at a standstill. The situation is bad. Europe should help both parties to take steps to overcome the impasse," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
16 july 2015
Not content with permanently extending and rupturing negotiations over the two-state compromise, Israel has announced a new twist to the internationally accepted framework. According to Haaretz, a senior Israeli official declared that it would only engage in talks with the EU as long as settlement construction would remain off the agenda. The talks, according to the official, would centre upon "improving the economic situation for Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip."
The EU initiative, which consisted of a request to initiate talks regarding the West Bank and the defunct two-state paradigm, was proposed to Israel in November 2014. Electoral preparations and the formation of the new government hindered a prompt response from Israel, according to the official.
Another condition imposed by Israel is the avoidance of discussing a permanent agreement with the Palestinians. The result would be a diluted semblance of negotiations – one that would limit political commitment while imposing even more conditions upon Palestinians, including permanent acquiescence and dependence.
While seemingly veering away from the usual negotiations, the latest Israeli response to the EU proposal has exacerbated the "waiting" game inflicted upon Palestinians. Discussing the economic situation in the West Bank while avoiding the topic of settlement expansion will ultimately result in additional economic benefits for Israel, as it expropriates more land and utilises Palestinian territory for its own gain – a continuation of the early colonisation policies that paved the way for the inception of the fabricated state.
EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg Andersen had declared the EU's intention to preserve the two-state hypothesis, stating that "a series of red lines" would be drawn up, leading to sanctions if Israel crossed them. Meanwhile in recent weeks, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas in a bid to seek reassurances of continued PA subjugation with regard to future negotiations. For every half-hearted initiative conjured up by the EU, individual initiatives seeking to protect Israel from any consequences are consistently applied, in order to reassure Israel of the international community's perpetual support.
Israel has also been conducting studies with regard to a complete boycott of Israel within the EU – such a move would, according to the Israeli Finance Ministry, cost the settler-colonial state $23.3 billion in losses. The commissioned study departed from a worst case scenario that would shift Israel's status from Western ally to a state targeted both politically and through NGOs.
Whether discussions incorporate or omit the two-state compromise, the outcome will be ingrained within complicity and impunity. Punitive measures against Israel have been discussed, drawn up as a plan and heralded in the media, yet implementation is always halted by further discussions and concessions. The latest dissociation by Israel is effectively a plan to increase its settlement expansion plans while feigning cooperation with the PA to improve the economic situation. If the EU agrees to this proposal it will constitute further proof of its complicity with Israel's colonial enterprise.
The EU initiative, which consisted of a request to initiate talks regarding the West Bank and the defunct two-state paradigm, was proposed to Israel in November 2014. Electoral preparations and the formation of the new government hindered a prompt response from Israel, according to the official.
Another condition imposed by Israel is the avoidance of discussing a permanent agreement with the Palestinians. The result would be a diluted semblance of negotiations – one that would limit political commitment while imposing even more conditions upon Palestinians, including permanent acquiescence and dependence.
While seemingly veering away from the usual negotiations, the latest Israeli response to the EU proposal has exacerbated the "waiting" game inflicted upon Palestinians. Discussing the economic situation in the West Bank while avoiding the topic of settlement expansion will ultimately result in additional economic benefits for Israel, as it expropriates more land and utilises Palestinian territory for its own gain – a continuation of the early colonisation policies that paved the way for the inception of the fabricated state.
EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg Andersen had declared the EU's intention to preserve the two-state hypothesis, stating that "a series of red lines" would be drawn up, leading to sanctions if Israel crossed them. Meanwhile in recent weeks, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas in a bid to seek reassurances of continued PA subjugation with regard to future negotiations. For every half-hearted initiative conjured up by the EU, individual initiatives seeking to protect Israel from any consequences are consistently applied, in order to reassure Israel of the international community's perpetual support.
Israel has also been conducting studies with regard to a complete boycott of Israel within the EU – such a move would, according to the Israeli Finance Ministry, cost the settler-colonial state $23.3 billion in losses. The commissioned study departed from a worst case scenario that would shift Israel's status from Western ally to a state targeted both politically and through NGOs.
Whether discussions incorporate or omit the two-state compromise, the outcome will be ingrained within complicity and impunity. Punitive measures against Israel have been discussed, drawn up as a plan and heralded in the media, yet implementation is always halted by further discussions and concessions. The latest dissociation by Israel is effectively a plan to increase its settlement expansion plans while feigning cooperation with the PA to improve the economic situation. If the EU agrees to this proposal it will constitute further proof of its complicity with Israel's colonial enterprise.
15 july 2015
On 13 and 14 July, Envoys of the Middle East Quartet met in Amman as part of their regular and direct outreach to Arab states.
Over the two days, the Envoys from the EU, Russia, US and UN met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and National Security Adviser Abdullah Wreikat to discuss how to preserve the two-state solution, and how to create conditions that will enable the parties to return to meaningful negotiations.
The Quartet envoys underlined the important role of Jordan in achieving a sustainable and just Israeli-Palestinian peace, and noted the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
The Quartet envoys also met with Kito de Boer, Director of the Office of the Quartet, to discuss how to advance steps on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in support of the Palestinian economy by strengthening investment in the private sector, rule of law, and movement and access.
Over the two days, the Envoys from the EU, Russia, US and UN met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and National Security Adviser Abdullah Wreikat to discuss how to preserve the two-state solution, and how to create conditions that will enable the parties to return to meaningful negotiations.
The Quartet envoys underlined the important role of Jordan in achieving a sustainable and just Israeli-Palestinian peace, and noted the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
The Quartet envoys also met with Kito de Boer, Director of the Office of the Quartet, to discuss how to advance steps on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in support of the Palestinian economy by strengthening investment in the private sector, rule of law, and movement and access.
14 july 2015
Haaretz newspaper, on Monday, said that Israel finally responded to the European Union’s urge to revive the negotiations, by saying that there will not be any political talks with Palestinians. Instead, there will only be economic negotiations within a specified frame of demands.
The newspaper added, according to the PNN, that Israel confirmed to the EU that it was ready to talk about improving the economic situation in Gaza and the West Bank, without mentioning settlements whatsoever.
The Israeli statement came in response to the European demand to revive the negotiations about settlements, and all obstacles hindering the two-state solution.
The European demand was proposed in November of 2014, and the response was stalled for 9 months. Israel claimed that it was late because of the Knesset elections which took place in March.
About three weeks ago, the French minister of Foreign Affairs, Laurent Fabius, met PA President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, and the Israeli PM in occupied Jerusalem, to urge the resumption of negotiations.
The newspaper added, according to the PNN, that Israel confirmed to the EU that it was ready to talk about improving the economic situation in Gaza and the West Bank, without mentioning settlements whatsoever.
The Israeli statement came in response to the European demand to revive the negotiations about settlements, and all obstacles hindering the two-state solution.
The European demand was proposed in November of 2014, and the response was stalled for 9 months. Israel claimed that it was late because of the Knesset elections which took place in March.
About three weeks ago, the French minister of Foreign Affairs, Laurent Fabius, met PA President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, and the Israeli PM in occupied Jerusalem, to urge the resumption of negotiations.
8 july 2015
The Regional Planning and Construction Committee of the Jerusalem City Council approved, Tuesday, a plan to expand the French Hill colony by illegally confiscating large areas of Palestinian lands belonging to al-‘Eesawiyya and Shu’fat towns, in occupied Jerusalem.
Palestinian Researcher, specialized in Settlements' Affairs, Ahmad Sob Laban, said the Regional Committee has approved the illegal annexation of 25 Dunams (6.17 Acres) of lands, belonging to Shu’fat residents, north of Jerusalem.
Israel is planning the construction of a commercial zone on lands that were slated only for residential purposes under the Regional Plan of the Jerusalem City Council for the year 2020.
Sob Laban added that the decision falls under a new structural plan, approved by the Regional Committee, to expand the French Hill colony, and to set aside lands that would be used for the construction of additional units.
The Palestinian researcher also said that the residents in Shu’fat have repeatedly applied for construction permits on the lands in question, but Israel kept delaying the applications, and alleged that the construction plan for 2020 “has not been approved yet.”
The lands are in the Sahl neighborhood in Silwan, one of many Palestinian areas severely impacted by Israel’s illegal colonies.
Son Laban also stated that, under the new structural plan of the French Hill settlement, the Palestinians in the al-‘Eesawiyya town would lose nearly 30 Dunams (7.41 Acres) near the main entrance of the town.
Palestinian Researcher, specialized in Settlements' Affairs, Ahmad Sob Laban, said the Regional Committee has approved the illegal annexation of 25 Dunams (6.17 Acres) of lands, belonging to Shu’fat residents, north of Jerusalem.
Israel is planning the construction of a commercial zone on lands that were slated only for residential purposes under the Regional Plan of the Jerusalem City Council for the year 2020.
Sob Laban added that the decision falls under a new structural plan, approved by the Regional Committee, to expand the French Hill colony, and to set aside lands that would be used for the construction of additional units.
The Palestinian researcher also said that the residents in Shu’fat have repeatedly applied for construction permits on the lands in question, but Israel kept delaying the applications, and alleged that the construction plan for 2020 “has not been approved yet.”
The lands are in the Sahl neighborhood in Silwan, one of many Palestinian areas severely impacted by Israel’s illegal colonies.
Son Laban also stated that, under the new structural plan of the French Hill settlement, the Palestinians in the al-‘Eesawiyya town would lose nearly 30 Dunams (7.41 Acres) near the main entrance of the town.
7 july 2015
Inside sources have revealed to PNN that France has officially rescinded its planned presentation of an initiative titled ‘Resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations’ to the International Security Council (ISC).
The source said that “the French Foreign Minister informed his Palestinian counterpart during their meeting that France will not be presenting the negotiations initiative to the ISC and that it had rescinded the proposal”.
Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki told PNN that France had failed to put this initiative forward due to American pressure.
In an interview with PNN, PLO Executive Committee member Wasel Abu Youssef said that the PA had informed all factions, during the French Foreign Minister’s visit to the region, that this decision was completely clear. He said that the initiative would have invoked international legal resolutions and international law including the resolution issued by the ISC and General Assembly concerning the right of return and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as it’s capital.
Abu Youssef stressed that it was was not possible to accept any compromises when it came to the rights of the Palestinian people. He said that a timeframe must be put in place for the withdrawal of the occupation from Palestinian lands, adding that there was no point in returning to the negotiation table after attempting that for so many long years and ultimately only benefitting the Israeli government. He said that he had rejected any attempt to ratify the so-called ‘Jewish state’.
Abu Youssef pointed out that the Palestinian leadership had intended to actualise a resolution on the withdrawal of the occupation from Palestinian lands at the ISC. He confirmed that the US had put pressure on France to drop the initiative, and raised the possibility of Palestine itself going to the ISC.
He emphasised in the interview that there could be no space for the success of any initiative that did not compromise of the rights of the Palestinian people if this pressure did not end.
Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Malaki said that France had rescinded its initiative based on the two-state solution as a result of Israeli and American pressure during the period of the Iranian nuclear deal.
The source said that “the French Foreign Minister informed his Palestinian counterpart during their meeting that France will not be presenting the negotiations initiative to the ISC and that it had rescinded the proposal”.
Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki told PNN that France had failed to put this initiative forward due to American pressure.
In an interview with PNN, PLO Executive Committee member Wasel Abu Youssef said that the PA had informed all factions, during the French Foreign Minister’s visit to the region, that this decision was completely clear. He said that the initiative would have invoked international legal resolutions and international law including the resolution issued by the ISC and General Assembly concerning the right of return and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as it’s capital.
Abu Youssef stressed that it was was not possible to accept any compromises when it came to the rights of the Palestinian people. He said that a timeframe must be put in place for the withdrawal of the occupation from Palestinian lands, adding that there was no point in returning to the negotiation table after attempting that for so many long years and ultimately only benefitting the Israeli government. He said that he had rejected any attempt to ratify the so-called ‘Jewish state’.
Abu Youssef pointed out that the Palestinian leadership had intended to actualise a resolution on the withdrawal of the occupation from Palestinian lands at the ISC. He confirmed that the US had put pressure on France to drop the initiative, and raised the possibility of Palestine itself going to the ISC.
He emphasised in the interview that there could be no space for the success of any initiative that did not compromise of the rights of the Palestinian people if this pressure did not end.
Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Malaki said that France had rescinded its initiative based on the two-state solution as a result of Israeli and American pressure during the period of the Iranian nuclear deal.
