Israel: Abbas' conditions for extending talks show 'he's not interested in peace'

[Jefferson23]

No breakthrough after five hours of talks between Livni and Erekat; Abbas: Talks can be extended, but only on condition prisoners released and borders set.

By Barak Ravid, Jonathan Lis and Jack Khoury | Apr. 22, 2014



Speaking at a press briefing, officials said the conditions presented by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas “mean that he is not interested in peace,” adding that “a person who wants peace does not present conditions time after time that he knows Israel cannot accept.”

Meanwhile, five hours of talks in Jerusalem between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, mediated by U.S. special Mideast envoy Martin Indyk, yielded no breakthrough. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s envoy Isaac Molho represented the Israelis, and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Palestinian General Intelligence head Majd Faraj represented the Palestinians.

In a press conference earlier in the day with Israeli journalists in Ramallah, Abbas said the renewal of talks must be based on two principles: First, the release of the fourth group of prisoners, as this is a move already committed to by Israel. The 30 prisoners to be released to their homes will include 14 Arabs Israelis. According to Abbas, any new condition such as deporting the prisoners would be considered a breach of the agreement.

The second principle is immediate discussion on the question of borders, to be conducted over a period of three months. Throughout this period the sides will focus solely on determining the border, and it will be accompanied by a full freeze of settlement construction. Abbas laid down the same conditions in a meeting with Labor and Meretz MKs in Ramallah last week.


http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.586783

[Jefferson23]

1. more:

Akunis: 'Abbas is Arafat in disguise'

Ofir Akunis, deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said Abbas was essentially no different from his predecessor Yasser Arafat.

"Abu Mazen is Arafat in disguise," said Akunis. "The Palestinian leadership under Abu Mazen changed only in tone, not in content. Underneath the diplomatic sweet talk hides an extremist leadership whose face is not turned toward peace or an agreement, but toward endlessly extorting the release of murderers, concessions and retreats by Israel – as conditions just for the holding of negotiations."

Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, speaking at a conference in Ramla, addressed his remarks to the Palestinian leader, saying: "What are you threatening? To dissolve an authority that incites terror?"

"Abu Mazen is now threatening for the seventh time to dissolve the Palestinian Authority. … I suggest to Abu Mazen – if you're going to shoot, then shoot, don't talk," Bennett said in English, quoting a line from Clint Eastwood's movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" especially beloved by Israeli politicians.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

2. I'm not sure how asking the Israelis to do what they said they were going to do WRT

prisoner release is something that Israel cannot accept. But what is wrong with discussing borders...as if that is something akin to Acid to Israelis?

[Jefferson23]

3. No, you got it right..discusssing borders and with maps IS akin to acid to this administration.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. I mean it is such a clusterf*ck.

The USA plays deaf, dumb and blind to Israeli aggression, land theft, ethnic cleansing and apartheid, and if the Palestinians make a move to assert their independence the the world will end.

What a fucking joke.

Perhaps some believe it is best that Abbas shuts down the PA and leaves a steaming turn in Israel's lap.

I would rather that he goes to the UN and goad the US / Israel into getting in the way of Palestinian statehood. It would be rich to see the Israelis and US falling all over themselves defending Israeli occupation while condemning the Russians.

[Jefferson23]

5. There are lots of landmines for Abbas and as you know they are up aganst damn powerful political

forces. I do hope his agenda includes the Palestinians rights under the law, they have every right
to a viable state. How he maneuvers himself, is yet to be seen...so far he seems to be going in the
right direction..but this is not a conflict to place bets on.

I want them to have what they want, a viable state and the ability for their next generation to
have a brighter future. If he shut down the PA, Israel would be more vulnerable under the law
than they are at present...as I understand it. We'll soon see how financially supportive the
Arab League will be too...not a great force for good there.

You're quite right of course, thus far, it has been a bad fucking joke.

[Mosby]

6. If he dissolves the PA

150,000 employees will lose their "jobs".

Not going to happen.

[Jefferson23]

7. You can bet on that if you like..I would not. Israel is continuing on a path that is rather

unprecedented in their intransigence toward SoS Kerry with this conflict and with Russia/Ukraine
and now there is the SCOTUS case coming up for next term. They're pushing for more sanctions
on Iran, going against Obama who wants a deal with them to take hold.

Perhaps the Israeli government may find they are pushing the envelope more than one should trust,
even with a powerful lobby behind them.