By: Shlomi Eldar for Al-Monitor Israel Pulse
Palestinians and Israelis alike were asked to maintain confidentiality around the “diplomatic secret,” which, it was hoped, would finally lead to productive negotiations between the two parties. Nevertheless, after a meeting of Fatah’s Central Committee in Ramallah on May 11, the details of the proposal were revealed. During his last visit to the Middle East in early April, Secretary of State John Kerry apparently suggested a compromise that would bridge the deep divide between both parties, and put an end to the long-lasting disconnect between them.
According to this new proposal, negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians would commence in June, after Israel makes a commitment to halt construction in those areas of the West Bank that lie outside of the major settlement blocks. In other words, it would freeze construction in the central mountain range of the West Bank and effectively “dry up” the illegal settlements and outposts. For their part, the Palestinians would stop all their diplomatic efforts to win support in the General Assembly of the United Nations and withdraw their demand that Israeli officers be tried in international courts of law.
The underlying logic behind this proposal is that it could be acceptable to both sides. The Palestinians, who demanded a total freeze of construction in the West Bank as a precondition for entering into diplomatic negotiations will receive a partial freeze, while the Israelis, who claimed that there can be no negotiations with preconditions, can continue to build in the major settlement blocks. By the way, it is worth noting that even before each side expressed its position, Kerry asked Palestinian Chairman Abu Mazen to wait until he received an answer from Israel about the big move that he was planning.
In response to the permission that the proposal grants Israel to continue its building projects in the major settlement blocks, the Palestinians demanded of Kerry that they be granted “Palestinian construction,” or as they defined it, the right to engage in “development and maintenance in Area C,” which comprises some 60% of the entire West Bank. At the same time, they also demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners, a step that would be considered a major achievement for Abu Mazen, and which would make it easier for him to return to the negotiating table. It should also be noted that Israel has yet to respond to this proposal. And the Palestinians have not informed Kerry whether they are prepared to allow Israel to continue its construction in the major settlement blocs.
One of the most interesting elements of the aforementioned American proposal is that both sides are maintaining a low profile. The US is taking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s sensitive political status with his coalition partners, most notably the HaBayit HaYehudi party, into consideration.
Similarly, the US is aware of the intense pressure that will be placed on Netanyahu by the large and well-oiled settler lobby, both in and out of the Knesset. As a result of this, any understandings between the parties, if and when they are reached, will be kept secret so that negotiations can begin without any undue pressure or demonstrations. At the same time, Israel will make a commitment that any construction in the settlements will only occur after the utmost consideration, and without any “bells and whistles.”
The Americans are also aware of the precarious situation faced by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Abu Mazen. It is obvious to them that he cannot make any decisions that can lead to him being portrayed as submissive to the Israelis, and are therefore investing in quite a bit of groundwork in the “friendly” Arab states. This provides some context for the statement by Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani that an exchange of territories between Israel and the Palestinians as part of a permanent solution is acceptable to the Arab League.
Nevertheless, while the US was engaged in softening the positions of those friendly Arab states so that they offer support to Abu Mazen, Israel announced that it had approved the construction of 300 new housing units in the settlement of Beit El.
The Palestinian response was forthcoming. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat released a furious statement charging that Israel has proven yet again that it is not ready for negotiations and that it does not support the principle of a two-state solution. By the way, Erekat and the other Fatah representatives who met in Ramallah remained committed to their promise not to respond publicly to the American compromise proposal, knowing that the release of any information about it could lead to harmful pressure being applied to both sides.
One question that should be raised is whether Israel’s announcement that it is expanding construction in Beit El is, in effect, its way of saying “No” to Kerry. Alternately, could this be its way of improving its position before the “responsible adult in the room” returns to the region next week. This is, of course, a regular pattern that Israel has shown in all previous “advanced” stages. It acts quickly to gain some achievement or other, to establish more facts on the ground, and to let off steam “in advance.” Be it in advance of a new ceasefire, or in advance of a freeze on construction.
But before anyone even begins talking about a partial freeze on construction and secret negotiations, Israel must first come to grips with the million dollar question: Is the principle of a two-state solution based on minor adjustments to the 1967 borders acceptable to it or not?
Regardless of what the answer really is, when John Kerry arrives back here next week (May 21-22), he is bound to discover one incontrovertible truth: If the two parties have no real desire to make progress, even the most creative compromise proposal will not succeed in doing the work for them.
Shlomi Eldar is a contributing writer for Al-Monitor’s Israel Pulse. For the past two decades, he has covered the Palestinian Authority and especially the Gaza Strip for Israel’s Channels 1 and 10, and has reported on the emergence of Hamas. In 2007, he was awarded the Sokolov Prize, Israel’s most important media award, for this work.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/05/exclusive-kerrys-secret-middle-east-plan.html#ixzz2THUApGa4
yamit82 Said:
@ Abdul Ameer:
Thank-you for your effort. I will listen.
vivarto Said:
Ths Spanish and the Mexican worked the Amer. Indians slowly to death in the tallow business,
Abdul Ameer Said:
Well if you name really is Abdul Ameer, then you have more problems than the stupid Jews.
You might get murdered for saying what you are saying. Some Muslims don’t take kindly to the apostates…
@ vivarto:
I would very much like to, but those stupid Jews not only do not listen, they actively try to prevent me and others from speaking the truth about Islam.
Abdul Ameer Said:
Thank you Abdul!
I am so relieved that Israel does not have a peace partner.
Can you go and tell this to the millions of stupid, suicidal Jews in Israel who believe in “peace process”?
The whole notion of a “peace process” is false. There never was a “peace process” and there never will be one. The underlying reason for the conflict are the sacred doctrines of Islam which prohibit Jewish sovereignty, which command Moslems to make war on the Jews and either subjugate them (Koran) or kill them (Muhammad). No religious Moslem can recognize Israel’s right to exist. Both Hamas as well as Abbas said that they will never recognize Israel’s right to exist. The charters of both Hamas and Abbas’ Fatah call for the eradication of Israel. Israel has no peace partner.
@ Honey Bee:
Tragically there are no original native Americans left from California.
They were all murdered, not one survived. And the last were killed after it was under the US control…
vivarto Said:
Return CA to original inhabitants, The Amer. Indians,if there are any left after the Spanish and Mexicans exterminated them!
Perhaps Israel should facilitate returning California to Mexico?
Start with building freeze in L.A.
Really, why doesn’t someone just tell Kerry to f.off and go f. himself?
This stupid farce must stop!
Polls are too often wrong. They tell us what Israelis think (or what the pollsters want us to believe) but unless the people have the opportunity to vote on a referencum, we will never know.
The province of British Columbia in Canada had an election yesterday and the polls predictions were very, very wrong. And these polls were easy, a choice between candidates, nothing as complicated as borders.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/05/15/bc-election-pollsters-wrong.html –
Both sides try to create facts on the grounds (contested territories) but only IL is condemned. She should proceed regardless. The Pal will never accept any compromise. UNRWA needs to be dismantled asap.
Nothing will stop these barbaric Muslims from acting barbaric against Jews and Christians They’ve already squeezed most Christians out of the West Bank and will keep going after the rest of the Holy Land of Jews and Christians until they die. Why not force violent Muslims out of the West Bank? Maybe the International scene wouldn’t approve So what? They are just for themselves anyway. I read that Canada forced a lying Muslim out, deported him to Lebanon–it took 25 years to do so but it was done. Israel should make a list of violent Muslims and negotiate no further until they are deported Peaceful Muslims can stay. Probably the Jews know who they are.
Under any conditions there will not be a Muslim state. We aren’t fools.
Canadian Otter Said:
I see no evidence that even half of Israelis want to keep all the land; I believe that this is because they believe they must keep the arabs with it. They are asked when they vote and as adults it is up to the voter to be informed. The voter must know what he wants and vote accordingly. Those voters who believe that all the land should be kept have a party of Eldad to vote for. Not enough Israelis want to keep even all area C. the people choose their govt and are therefore the ones responsible. Israelis get to choose their executive branch more often than americans.
yamit82 Said:
Well put!
yamit82 Said:
You Sir are not Benjamin Cardoza.
@ Bernard Ross
Bernard, I meant “Enough with these Israeli politicians” – they are the real cause behind Israel’s woes. They are the ones who gave up Temple Mount, Sinai, Gaza, and who signed on to Oslo. Politicians perpetrated all that. Not the Arabs. Israeli politicians are the ones promoting Two States. They are the ones turning a blind eye to Arab takeover of land all over the country. ~~~ If given a choice, Israelis might choose to keep all the land. But they are not even asked. How does anyone know they want?
Canadian Otter Said:
I believe this has been going on for some time under BB and Barak. I speculate without knowledge but perhaps it had to do with concentrating arab growth in certain areas coupled with the belief that Israel could not keep even all of C and therefore give areas to growth that are better for Israel.
Canadian Otter Said:
apparently the voters have given them that right, including the right not to have a referendum.
Canadian Otter Said:
I don’t know what it would take but I imagine a heinous and unbearable atrocity from the arabs is the only thing that will make the Jews “lose” their mind and drive the arabs out without mercy. It would be better to do it in a humanitarian manner earlier rather than when no other option exists. I realize this will not be done even though there are many legal precedents that have proved acceptable to the world, e.g. driving jews from arab lands with no compensation or travel arrangements AFTER the advent of the Geneva Conventions. Forced transfer is acceptable to the world for jews. I advocate reciprocal population transfers based on the prior transfers of Jews as a result of the same conflicts and the same warring parties. No double standards allowable with me.
QUESTION – how come the govt was ready to cede land on Area C for an Arab town, and nobody knew until Yaalon announced a temporary stop? What else is going on? Do MKs know about these things? Why was it kept secret? Arabs must talk about it, so how come nobody knew in such a tiny country?
Reply to Yamit awaiting moderation
@ yamit82:
Agree. But although victory may be theoretically possible, how can that be achieved if soldiers are court martialed for defending themselves? How can they defend the country? The govt apologized for soldiers’ actions on the Marmara, although all they did was to defend themselves from being lynched. What was there to apologize for? This situation is made worse by the lack of grassroots organization. I can’t understand how this mindset has taken over Israel (and is now spreading to other Western countries). Perhaps it needs to be changed gradually, show people how they can win if they try. They could start by demanding a stop to the illegal Arab takeover of land this side of the Green Line. Neither Obama nor the UN could object to that. But time is running out.
@ Canadian Otter:
There is nothing permanent or not reversible in the ME and especially as it applies to Israel. War + Total Victory is the only tried and true method for establishing national borders, demographic adjustments and for establishing for some time peace and security. Never by concessions and appeasement. What was relatively easy and painless was not pursued in the past so it will yet be done with more pain and cost but it will be, whether we want it or not. Every act has consequences most never envisioned by those who make and carry them out. BenGurion could have taken Jerusalem in 48-49 but acquiesced to demands for ceasefire. Most of the Arabs could easily have been forced out of Israel but they were not. yet almost a half million did leave saving the country demographically. Without the war in 48 Israel could never have added another 22% territory which was critical for our future survival.
As bad as Israelis like to characterize the 48 war it was the best thing that could have happened for Israel. The Next war with Egypt will happen because we gave up Sinai. If we had stayed there would never be another possibility of war with Egypt because without the military buildup with American aid they would never have been in a position to go to war against us. Oil, Gas and Tourism would have put Israel in the top tier economically 25 years earlier and provided strategic depth. Saved 20 years of stagnant economic growth and a net loss of population.
Peace is the wrong national policy to pursue. We don’t exist for peace. Peace is the consequence of other policies pursued in the national interest if successful.