By Ted Belman
Hilary Clinton invited Netanyahu and Abbas to commence direct talks. Both agreed. Where the disagreement comes in is that Netanyahu will proceed on the basis that there are no preconditions including a continued freeze, assuming he hasn’t agreed in private to continue it.
The PA on the other hand, gave a conditional acceptance.
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“The PLO executive committee announces its acceptance of a resumption of direct negotiations with Israel, in accordance with the statement by the international Middle East Quartet and the invitation by the United States,”
In effect there is no agreement. The gaps are as wide as ever. The parties will never negotiate a compromise solution.
NYT says, Scant Hopes From the Beginning
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There is little confidence — close to none — on either side that the Obama administration’s goal of reaching a comprehensive deal in one year can be met.
Instead, there is a resigned fatalism in the air. Most analysts view the talks as pairing the unwilling with the unable — a strong right-wing Israeli coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with no desire to reach an agreement against a relatively moderate Palestinian leadership that is too weak and divided to do so.
So Bibi is labelled “unwilling”. Certainly not with respect to entering direct talks but more likely, to giving the Palestinians what they are demanding. But the Times doesn’t distinguish. But poor Abbas is only “unable”. As we know, he was also unwilling to enter talks.
But if Abbas is unable, as they suggest it is because they recognize he is unable to compromise. Thus what hope for M.E. talks?
The PA is counting on the Quartet applying pressure on Israel. The first test will be Sept 26 when the freeze ends.
Already, Erekat has said,
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“Should the Israeli government issue new tenders on September 26, we will not be able to continue with talks,”
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US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell was the only one to address the issue of the settlement construction freeze in a rather vague statement in which he noted that the US’s stance on settlements had not changed. He stressed that both parties should act in way which would support the peace process and not compromise it.
However, senior Israeli state officials told Ynet on Friday that a continuation of the construction freeze was “not on the table.”
“There is a government decision – and we shall abide by it,” one source said. There is a majority in the forum of seven cabinet ministers which endorses the end of the freeze at the designated date. Only two ministers might support a continuation – Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Intelligence and Atomic Energy Minister Dan Meridor.
Stay strong Bibi.
The best defense is a good offense when dealing with the U.S. The U.S. is at war. When Benji deals with Barack or Hillary he needs to paint a picture for them. So Barack suppose your enemy was LIVING on your soil? And in order to agree not to kill all Americans they first demanded you hand over New York State and once you have done that then they demand you hand over Florida and meanwhile are continually launching rockets at your citizens? Benji has to make decisions that are in the best interest of Israel regardless of the backlash.
ron don’t let HWSNBN (BlueMoon) bug you, he is quite insane and a pervert to boot. Remember the guy who like LIKE NASDAQ GOING SOUTH DOVE FOR THE SAILORS OPEN FLY? That’s HWSNBN.
HWSNBN HOW WOULD YOU LIKE A BOOT UP YOUR FAT BLUEMOON ASS?
I have been officially deputized by Uncle to act as his spokesman- and it is my unbounded pleasure to do so.
G-d led the Jews back to the Holy Land and I have no doubt G-d would assist the Jews in leading the Arabs out of the Holy Land to Jordan and Egypt.
Nothing is impossible with G-d and nothing is impossible with the Jews if they put their minds to it.
Listen, you don’t need to fill in for Uncle.
Rongrand:
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I think that Uncle, being quite busy at the present time, would like to convey the information that the areas of Judea and/or Samaria is occupied by a couple of million Arabs. Trying to evict these Arabs would create a lot of trouble for Israel. And Keeping these territories would upset the demographic balance to the detriment of Israel. In a nutshell it is a no win situation.
Uncle, please tell me why anyone in their right mind, an Israeli who is willing to relinquish any of Judea or Samaria? G-d did not will the Holy Land to be carved up and distributed to anyone, let alone their adversaries.
I guess I show my ignorance of the ME. I just don’t get it. Look at Gaza, this should tell you what to expect if more territory is given up.
These jerks won’t need long range missiles to kill Jews.
This is taking a toll on me. I sit here disturbed because we have an incompetent president who’s aim is to destroy our country and who supports a Muslim country in producing a nuclear bomb.
On the other hand we have a few unstable Israeli leaders bent on giving Israeli territory away, piece by piece.
God/G-d we need your help more now than ever before.
I better have a vodka and tonic, it makes the pain go away.
That statement epitomizes the disgusting anti-Israel bias of the NY Slimes.
Israel should not be concerned about any administrations goal. First and foremost Israel has to maintain unequivocally her position as a sovereign Jewish Nation with complete control of the Holy Land and including an un-divided capital Jerusalem. This must be accepted and recognized by the whole Arab world, including those in the US who don’t understand or are clueless (mainly the president and his administration).
Forget Mitchell, Israel should not be concerned what the US’s stance is on settlements. Again, first and foremost Israel should continue community development throughout all of Israel and Jerusalem, the land G-d willed to them.
Israel, I would not attend the meeting, this would only legitimize this ridicules and worthless president and his administration.
Wait till after a new congress and president take over.
Ted I think you are reading the wrong pundit analysis.
Bibi Crunching Numbers As Direct Talks, Settlement Freeze Approach