Thursday
Aug272009
Israel-Palestine: After Mitchell Meeting, Netanyahu Presses His Advantage
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 6:25
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An Israeli government source says that, in his meeting with President Obama's envoy George Mitchell on Tuesday, Netanyahu proposed a nine-month freeze on settlements in the West Bank. However, he set clear conditions: this would not be an obstacle for the “continuation of normal life" and would not include 2,500 housing units on which construction has already started. It was also dependent on reciprocal steps from the Palestinian Authority and Arab states. In the event that Arabs did not meet expectations, Netanyahu asked for an American guarantee not to oppose renewed building.
The American response to Netanyahu’s proposal will be given in Washington next week when Mitchell meets with Netanyahu's envoy, attorney Yitzhak Molcho, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's chief of staff, Brigadier General Mike Herzog. In the second week of September, Mitchell is expected to visit Israel in order to finalize the agreement.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu commented on Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas's reported willingness to meet him at next month's UN General Assembly session in New York: "If Abbas is behind this declaration, that would be progress. This is a positive thing, a positive first step." Since Abbas had refused to meet Netanyahu if Israel does not impose a full halt on its settlements in the West Bank, this could be construed as a Palestinian concession. Indeed, Netanyahu seized the opportunity to press another condition, the Palestinian leadership's recognition of a Jewish state: "We also have core issues, and the issue of recognition is core, in my view. If we insist on the recognition, there will be a peace agreement."
Israel and Mitchell-Netanyahu: No Agreement Yet “Good”
Israel-Palestine: Fayyad Puts Invitation to Israel within a “Palestinian State”
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
An Israeli government source says that, in his meeting with President Obama's envoy George Mitchell on Tuesday, Netanyahu proposed a nine-month freeze on settlements in the West Bank. However, he set clear conditions: this would not be an obstacle for the “continuation of normal life" and would not include 2,500 housing units on which construction has already started. It was also dependent on reciprocal steps from the Palestinian Authority and Arab states. In the event that Arabs did not meet expectations, Netanyahu asked for an American guarantee not to oppose renewed building.The American response to Netanyahu’s proposal will be given in Washington next week when Mitchell meets with Netanyahu's envoy, attorney Yitzhak Molcho, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's chief of staff, Brigadier General Mike Herzog. In the second week of September, Mitchell is expected to visit Israel in order to finalize the agreement.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu commented on Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas's reported willingness to meet him at next month's UN General Assembly session in New York: "If Abbas is behind this declaration, that would be progress. This is a positive thing, a positive first step." Since Abbas had refused to meet Netanyahu if Israel does not impose a full halt on its settlements in the West Bank, this could be construed as a Palestinian concession. Indeed, Netanyahu seized the opportunity to press another condition, the Palestinian leadership's recognition of a Jewish state: "We also have core issues, and the issue of recognition is core, in my view. If we insist on the recognition, there will be a peace agreement."
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