Israel Matzav

If he ever had a backbone, he's losing it

If Prime Minister Netanyahu ever had a backbone, he is losing it. On Monday, Netanyahu told European Union envoys that he has not decided to give a political address, and what he will say if he gives one. But his advisers are telling a different story.

Netanyahu said: "But two questions should be asked. The first, whether it is at all possible to resume negotiations with the Palestinians? The second question is what actions can be undertaken if resumption of negotiations proves impossible?

Conversations with two Israeli sources with ties to Netanyahu's bureau led to the conclusion that there are three main ideas being considered.

The first involves another withdrawal in the West Bank, which would see the IDF forces redeploy and security responsibility handed over to the Palestinian Authority. This would mean that in Area B, where Israel has security responsibility and the Palestinians civilian policing functions, full control would be ceded to the PA. In addition, some parts of Area C, where Israel has complete control, will become Area B.

Attorney Isaac Molcho, who advises the prime minister, raised this idea in a meeting with emissaries of the Quartet in Jerusalem last week.

Netanyahu is still uncertain to what extent the withdrawal would be, but it will probably not include the evacuation of settlements.

The second idea is to seek an international umbrella in the form of an international conference, in which both Israel and the Palestinian Authority would participate, and which would call for a resumption of negotiations. Even though Netanyahu's advisers have raised the idea before their international interlocutors, the likelihood for holding such a meet is minimal. Neither Israel nor the Palestinians appears able to decide on the Terms of Reference or, in lay terms, the principles of the conference.

The third idea is to use diplomatic pressure on Western countries (the U.S., the European Union, Canada, Australia and others ) against the recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly.

Netanyahu told EU ambassadors on Wednesday that more than 100 countries, mostly from the developing world, will recognize a Palestinian state. He said that he wants to rally democracies who share values with Israel against the move.

"Perhaps the Palestinians will have a majority in the UN, but what matters is not only the quantity but also the quality," Netanyahu said.

What could go wrong? Well, for starters, is Area B within shooting distance of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Ben Gurion Airport? Parts of it are for sure....

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, diplomatic tsunami, Palestinian state RIGHT NOW syndrome

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:51 AM