Photo courtesy of YNet-GPOVia Fox News:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may endorse the creation of a Palestinian state during his upcoming meeting with President Obama in Washington,Israel's defense minister said Saturday.In a revealing passage of this article, the Likud government is apparently willing to cede the following to the Palestinian Authority:
But sources close to the Israeli government told FOX News that Netanyahu will first seek assurances from Obama that neighboring Arab nations will back the weak Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas in concessions for peace.
Netanyahu's government was encouraged by Vice President Joe Biden's speech to the American Israel Political Affairs Committee in which he said one of the clear responsibilities the Arab states have is to support the Palestinian Authority's effort to govern on the West Bank, "develop and reform its institutions, help the people of Gaza work toward returning to Gaza."
The endorsement would be a significant shift for the Israeli leader, who has made clear in the past that he does not think the Palestinians are ready to rule themselves. But that position has put him at odds with long-standing U.S. policy that supports Palestinian statehood as the cornerstone of Mideast peace efforts.
"I think and believe that Netanyahu will tell Obama this government is prepared to go for a political process that will result in two nations living side by side in peace and mutual respect," Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Channel 2 TV on Saturday.
Netanyahu has said the old formula of trading land for peace has been unsuccessful. He has suggested focusing instead on building up the Palestinian economy and security services loyal to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.For the record, this sounds very similar to the concept which former Foreign Minister and Kadima Party Chief Tzipi Livni was proposing, although her model would have had slightly enhanced rights, & in line with Pope Benedict XVI's call for a "homeland" as opposed to an outright state.
But Netanyahu has acknowledged neither track is a substitute for political negotiations. And on trips to Egypt and Jordan last week, he said he wanted to quickly renew talks with Palestinians that stalled last year without any breakthrough.
Aides say he favors giving Palestinians the powers to govern themselves but minus the powers that could threaten Israel -- establishing an army, making treaties with states including Iran, importing heavy weapons, or controlling air space close to Israel's international airport.
Related Links:Pres. Peres meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan, endorses hypothetical peace overture with the 57 Islamic states
In depth strategies being pursued by Israelis prior to sit down with Barack Obama
Netanyahu lands in Washington, ready for White House meeting
Likud rebellion could be brewing in the Knesset & cabinet
Royal intrigue in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
MSM will pick apart or engender anti-Bibi rhetoric, original W road map could be in play
UPDATE 1:
Ode to my infidel, anti-Jihadist brother in arms, Midnight Rider:
9 comments:
The only "STAR" for whom I was willing to stand in line to see a live performance!!!
Thank you for the reminder....
C-CS
My pedigree is the Rolling Stones but i totally comprehend you...gald you liked it Christian Soldier!
If Bibi gives in to a Palestinian state it is political suicide for him and national suicide for Israel.
Carlos -- Awesome tune! I've loved it since it first came out. Thank you and you've planted the seeds of a post in my head.
MR, you are my buddy....
Sitting in the pool, drinking some Canadian whiskey (cheap stuff, but fucks you up quicker) and looking and babes...LOL
Dude you're making me jealous. It's not quite 65 here. But I got some good bourbon. . .
You probably already saw it but put the post up. With a really old Blind Willie Johnson tune too boot. Thanks for the idea.
Hey wait a minute. You're posting here now. COOL!
Aw, damn, you snuck some Neil in there, Carlos! Hell's yeah. Love me some Neil. And some Bibi.
It's a good day to be a Jew.
MR, Bibi should finesse .. 'I back a Pal state IF .. ' KSA and the others agree to KILL HAMAS first, and the metric for determining HAMAS is finished is A,B,C ..all of or any of which we know will be impossible to achieve. Starting with a demilitarized, DISARMED, Gaza and West Bank.
No problemo
Post a Comment