Israel makes border proposal to 'Palestinians'; 'Palestinians' call it non-starter
At the final round of the Amman talks this past week, Israel presented the 'Palestinians' with a proposal to resolve the borders issue despite the fact that it is not in Israel's interest to resolve borders without the rest of the open issues being resolved at least at the same time. According to the official, Molcho did not draw a line on a map, but rather spoke in general principles about what Israel would take into consideration when drawing that line.Whatever Israel offered on Wednesday night, the 'Palestinians' have decided it wasn't enough. They are calling it a non-starter.
Israel's presentation of the principles guiding its thinking on the border issues, follows a similar presentation Israel gave the Palestinians Saturday night in Amman outlining the principles outlining its thinking on security issues.
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In an apparent effort to preempt Palestinian claims that Israel refuses to deal with the border issue, the official said Israel "is dealing with the issues that the Quartet believes are important."
He said that both sides asked for clarification from the other regarding issues that were raised. "Israel's position remains that within the framework of a peace process moving forward, we are ready for mutual confidence measures. But the talks must be without preconditions."
One of the steps the Palestinians are asking for is a release of Fatah prisoners held in Israeli jails. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has made clear that one of the steps he expects from the Palestinian side is an end to incitement within the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian officials said Friday that Israel's presentation of its ideas for border and security arrangements of a future Palestinian state at a meeting in Amman on Wednesday was a non-starter, envisaging a fenced-off territory of cantons that would preserve most Jewish settlements.Maybe it's time to stop making proposals to the 'Palestinians' and let them come back with one of their own and commit to live with it. Oh wait - they might actually have to make a concession to do that, and that's not going to happen.
Israel's envoy to the talks, Yitzhak Molcho, outlined Wednesday night for the Palestinians the principles and parameters that will guide Israel's policy on border issues, an Israeli government official said. According to the official, Molcho did not draw a line on a map, but rather spoke in general principles about what Israel would take into consideration when drawing that line.
"He killed the two-state solution, set aside previous agreements and international law," said a Palestinian Liberation Organization source of Molcho's presentation. "Basically, the Israeli idea of a Palestinian state is made up of a wall and settlements."
An Israeli official said the presentation was in line with a framework for talks set by the Quartet -- the United States, European union, Russia and the United Nations.
What could go wrong?
Labels: defensible borders, direct talks, Middle East quartet
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:46 PM
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