Israel rejects terms for talks

Jeremy Last - Tuesday 17th August 2010


Hopes for a surprisingly swift resumption of the Middle East peace process were dashed this week after the Israeli Prime Minister's inner cabinet decided to reject any preconditions for talks.

Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have been on hold for over a year, but expectations grew ahead of an expected announcement by the Quartet of peace negotiators.

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However, the Quartet, which comprises representatives of the US, UN, EU, and Russia was believed to be ready to call for Israel to extend its controversial freeze on building within the West Bank, and base the negotiations on the pre-967 borders, two points Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not willing to compromise on.

Speaking during a visit to Greece on Monday, Netanyahu stressed that he is committed to returning to the negotiating table, but discussions can not be based on Palestinian demands.

"For the past year and a half, I've been trying to have direct meetings, without a predetermined agenda, with the Palestinian Authority," Netanyahu said. "We have to have patience. Of course, we won't need to wait for many months or many years. I believe that with some patience you will see results."

"We are ready to go to Cairo, Washington, ready to go anywhere in order to give flesh and bones to this initiative and get this process moving."

Senior Israeli officials were quoted across the Israeli media this week slamming any possible preconditions.

"The Quartet declaration will likely be a fig leaf for stipulating preconditions on the part of the Palestinians, and this is unacceptable to us," one official told Haaretz.

When it was announced last year, the settlement freeze was initially rejected by the Palestinians as "meaningless" as it did not include East Jerusalem. But the PA is now believed to be supportive of a potential Quartet demand for its extension after September 26 when it is slated to come to an end.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Ereket was dismissive of Israel's commitment to peace, telling reporters: "The announcement by the Israeli government rejecting the statement of the international Quartet before it is even issued shows that Israel is persisting in its rejection of a serious peace process. This clearly proves that this government has other interests besides peace and stability in the region."

During a joint media conference with Netanyahu in Athens, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou backed the immediate resumption of negotiations.

"It is necessary that direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians begin immediately," he said. "This is the most useful way to achieve a viable peace."

Extremist Palesttinian groups, meanwhile, once again rejected any discussions with Israel.

"Insisting on direct talks throws a life line to Israel as its isolation deepens," Hamas said in a statement issued at the weekend. "A return to direct talks serves the U.S. and Zionist aim to liquidate the national rights of the Palestinian people."

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