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Last update - 08:40 09/07/2009
Palestinians reject Netanyahu's 'economic peace' plan
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz COrrespondent
Tags: Israel News, Blair, PA 

Prior to the elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his program for "economic peace," which he said would improved the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank. However, 100 days after having formed his coalition government, there is no practical progress on economic projects.

The main reason for this is the refusal of senior Palestinian Authority officials to cooperate with Netanyahu and Vice Premier Silvan Shalom, who has been assigned the task of promoting the "economic peace" initiative.

The ministerial committee handling the matter met again Wednesday, deciding to open the Allenby Bridge to traffic 24 hours a day to encourage Palestinian imports and exports to Jordan.
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Shalom also presented a list of projects that had been delayed for years due to various bureaucratic difficulties. These include an industrial zone in Bethlehem, (funded by France), as well as one near Jenin (funded by Germany and another near Jericho (paid for by Japan). Netanyahu had instructed all ministries to further his "economic peace" efforts by getting rid of red tape.

Palestinians block progress

The committee also discussed the PA's role in blocking progress. In essence, its senior officials are boycotting their Israeli counterparts.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to meet Netanyahu, and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will not meet with Silvan Shalom, while Palestinian officials are not permitted to meet their Israeli counterparts.

"Israel wants to promote economic peace, and I am calling for increased cooperation from the Palestinians," Shalom said during the meeting.

According to a senior political source, all contacts on economic issues with Palestinian officials are carried out through the Quartet's special envoy, Tony Blair. Even though the former British prime minister is pressing the Palestinians to meet with the Israelis, he has been unsuccessful.

"The Palestinians are concerned that if they cooperate on economic peace, Israel will be able to avoid the political process," the source said.

The Palestinian refusal to meet senior Israeli officials resulted in the cancellation of a joint conference scheduled to take place in Tokyo on the Jericho industrial zone.

It was to be attended by senior Japanese, Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian officials, but the Palestinians announced that at this stage they would not participate, saying this stemmed from the lack of progress on the peace process with Israel.


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      1.   Netanyahu`s "Economic Peace" 06:33  |  Ryan 09/07/09
      2.   PA refuses economic plan 07:11  |  Brod 09/07/09
      3.   What sort of `co-operation` can exist between... 07:53  |  Esther 09/07/09
      4.   The same old tricks won`t work anymore 08:39  |  Natallie Durson 09/07/09
      5.   well, who wonders?! 08:45  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      6.   #1 Are you really that daft, Brod? 08:47  |  Johnboy 09/07/09
      7.   to obama`s spokeswoman natallie durson 09:16  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      8.   bibi`s economic peace plan would be a "great" achievement 09:39  |  eric 09/07/09
      9.   Pals didn`t meess up Gaza 09:45  |  Kilminster 09/07/09
      10.   hey Brod #2 09:50  |  jake 09/07/09
      11.   scallywag - Israel is the only one to profit by avoiding peace 10:02  |  Natallie Durson 09/07/09
      12.   #5 Here`s a simple example, scallywag 11:00  |  Johnboy 09/07/09
      13.   natallie durson 12:29  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      14.   natallie durson - ps: 12:34  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      15.   johnboy 12:42  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      16.   Netanyahu economy peace 12:48  |  Obama^mamma 09/07/09
      17.   Durson is right: Pals playing same old tricks 12:49  |  Joe Sittizen 09/07/09
      18.   answer to #11 12:51  |  flora 09/07/09
      19.   answer to #5 12:55  |  flora 09/07/09
      20.   First the "freeze" on ALL settlements 13:25  |  Singer 09/07/09
      21.   johnboy - 2. try 13:54  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      22.   #6 Johnboy....Pal shopkeepers are happy 14:23  |  Lynn 09/07/09
      23.   Understanding Arab mentality 15:08  |  jackie 09/07/09
      24.   #11 where the war nutullie ? so wheres the peace? ? 15:09  |  vhardman 09/07/09
      25.   As soon as cooperation starts , the oversight 15:43  |  TOMY 09/07/09
      26.   An explosion in the territories is inevitable 15:51  |  Ibrahim 09/07/09
      27.   Palestinian Leaders 16:07  |  Tal 09/07/09
      28.   natallie durson - 3. try 16:09  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      29.   natallie durson - ps: - 3. try 16:09  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      30.   johnboy - 3. try 16:10  |  scallywag 09/07/09
      31.   the cacophony of spin 16:15  |  Arie 09/07/09
      32.   #12 Here is a simple example, scallywag 16:16  |  Boris 09/07/09
      33.   Kilminster-palis didn`t mess up gaza 16:23  |  Arie 09/07/09
      34.   17--Bibi said nothing useful 16:45  |  Dave Duncan 09/07/09
      35.   Brod it is time 16:46  |  Chet 09/07/09
      36.   Jackie, the expert on Arabs 17:09  |  Ibrahim 09/07/09
      37.   The border with Gaza was shut for a reason. Trade is a choice 17:43  |  Paul 09/07/09
      38.   Paul, what behavior are you referring to? 18:24  |  Ibrahim 09/07/09
      39.   Chet it is time 18:27  |  Brod 09/07/09
      40.   #32 What, you mean these hothouses, Boris? 03:20  |  Johnboy 10/07/09
      41.   #4 Durson 00:29  |  leoblue 11/07/09
      42.   Our cooperation is not for sale 02:45  |  yezmar 11/07/09
      43.   Netanyahu must file a COMPLAINT with both.... 06:53  |  The Archives 12/07/09
      44.   Palestinians wont meet with Israel because they get handouts 22:10  |  Steve from Raleigh 17/07/09
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