What Condoleezza Rice Has Joined Together Let No Israeli Prime Minister Put Asunder!

That is the message delivered by The Gang Of Four Quartet on Friday in the statement they issued. Below is a key paragraph that Dr. Aaron Lerner points out as having 2 key components designed to push Israel blindly forward with the one-sided negotiations with Olmert:

The Quartet reaffirmed its support for the bilateral and comprehensive
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and commended the parties for their serious
and continuous efforts since the Annapolis Conference. The Quartet
recognized that a meaningful and results-oriented process is underway and
called upon the parties to continue to make every effort to conclude an
agreement before the end of 2008. It noted the significance of this process
and the importance of confidentiality in order to preserve its integrity.
The Quartet underlined its commitment to the irreversibility of the
negotiations; to the creation of an independent, democratic and viable
Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, living in peace and security
alongside Israel; and to an end to the conflict. The Quartet expressed its
desire to see the continuation of the solid negotiating structure, involving
substantive discussions on all issues, including core issues without
exception, in order to ensure the fulfillment of the Annapolis goals. The
Quartet reiterated its previous call for all Palestinians to commit
themselves to non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of
previous agreements and obligations. Restoring Palestinian unity based on
the PLO commitments would be an important factor in this process.

Dr. Lerner explains:

When U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice got together with her colleagues and issued a statement, they decided, in light of the changes taking place in Israel and the possibility that either as a result of understandings and commitments FM Livni has to make in order to form a coalition - or the victory of Netanyahu should there end up being snap elections, to let the democratic Jewish State know that as far as Ms. Rice and the rest are concerned that they could give a damn about the Israeli democratic process.

" importance of confidentiality in order to preserve its integrity" = the Israeli public and Shas has no business knowing what Israel has already put on the table "The Quartet underlined its commitment to the irreversibility of the negotiations" = what Olmert put down on the table, Livni or Netanyahu can't take back.]

This is what happens when you invite 'friends' like this to help: they come for the negotiations; they stay for the concessions--every. last. one. of. them.

The question now is whether either Livni or Netanyahu have the backbone to stand up to the Quartet.

Technorati Tag: Israel.