Palestinian Authority officials are in discussions with their U.S. counterparts ahead of the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. President Joe Biden in Bethlehem this Friday.
Palestinian sources and Western diplomats speaking with Haaretz expressed discontent over the positions Washington has presented them so far, saying it appears that Biden will only address economic issues and not the diplomatic ones.
According to one source, Biden plans to announce U.S. financial assistance to Palestinian hospitals in Jerusalem, as well as to various civil society groups promoting normalization with Israel. However, in private discussions held recently, American and European officials indicated that the aid package would not include any money for the Palestinian Authority itself.
“Money and assistance is very important, but what about a clear diplomatic stand?” asked one Palestinian official. “Unfortunately, as of now, there are no policy differences between the Biden and Trump administrations. This is not the way to move forward or to strengthen the Palestinian Authority.”
Palestinians say they are frustrated that Washington isn’t expected to deal with many issues that they regard as critical, including the re-opening of the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem; removing the Palestine Liberation Organization from the U.S. Congress’ list of terror organizations; declaring the 1967 borders as the basis for future negotiations with Israel; and the U.S. issuing a strongly worded statement regarding the settlements. In addition, the Palestinians are demanding that the United States pressure Israel into rescinding its declaration from last October deeming six West Bank nonprofits as terrorist organizations.
Palestinian officials also said they resent Washington’s demand that Abbas express support for normalization between Israel and the Arab world.
U.S. officials contend that a statement like that would pave the way for renewed negotiations with Israel, but the Palestinians say Israel must first commit to recognizing the 1967 borders.
In Ramallah, officials were also hoping that the U.S. would take a stronger stance on the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, than the one taken last week after Israeli experts examined the bullet that allegedly killed her. However, at this point the Palestinians do not expect that to happen.
@Chanah Yes, the Arab view of Israel seems like the joke about the indispensably loyal and heroic family pig with the wooden leg whose punchline in response to the visiting journalist’s query as to why he had a wooden leg, was, “Well, a pig like that you don’t eat all at once!”
How much more clearly can the Muslims reveal themselves than by declaring that in order for them to sit with Israel to negotiate things like borders, first israel has to return to 67 borders?!!! Apparently they have the idea of negotiations turned upside down. What would Israel have left to give if they commit suicide before they even begin? The Muslims know this is a deal breaker but before an ignorant world, they can claim it is Israel’s fault there are no negotiations.