Friday, August 20, 2010

Israel Will Not Be Required to Extend Settlement Freeze

That is what the Jerusalem Post is reporting:
Diplomatic sources say the Quartet's announcement on direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians is expected Friday, and will not demand a continuation in the freeze of settlement building past September, Army Radio reported Thursday evening.


Israel has made it clear that it does not agree to the conditions set by the Quartet for direct negotiations, including the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

Jerusalem is waiting for an invitation for direct talks by the US which will not set preconditions for discussions.
Maybe, just maybe, Abbas will take the hint and realize that the only way to get the things he wants will be to talk with Netanyahu face-to-face.

And be willing to make some concessions of his own.

If this is something that is beyond Abbas's ability to do, then he should not show up at the negotiations to begin with--and the Palestinian Arabs in the West Bank had best get themselves a new leader.

Of course, the fact that Abbas's term expired 1 1/2 years ago, with no new elections in sight, is itself an indication of the enormous leadership vacuum the West Bank faces.

(And don't get me started on Gaza)

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1 comment:

NormanF said...

The Palestinians won't show up. If they're past arguing over what the "invitation" means, they'll be arguing next over where to sit at the table.

Don't look for direct talks to happen any time soon.