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Last update - 21:47 24/08/2009
U.S. says it's closer to Israel-Palestinian talks
By Barak Ravid and Chaim Levinson, Haaretz Correspondents, and The Associated Press
Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu 

The State Department says its Mideast peace envoy is getting closer to winning agreement by the Israelis and Palestinians to resume peace talks.

Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Monday that scheduled talks Wednesday in London between peace envoy George Mitchell and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not necessarily produce a breakthrough.

But Kelly said the process of laying the groundwork for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is moving closer to fruition. Pressed to explain what has moved the process forward, Kelly declined to offer any details.
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A point of contention has been Israeli resistance to a U.S. demand that it freeze construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Netanyahu is expected to tell Mitchell on Monday that Israel will not accept any limitations on its sovereignty over Jerusalem, and will allow settlers to continue to live in the West Bank.

Netanyahu arrived in London on Monday, where he will meet with Mitchell in order to continue the discussion on the Obama administration's demands for confidence-building measures between Israel and the Arab world.

The U.S. is demanding that Israel freeze temporarily construction in the settlements, and is asking the Arab world to begin normalizing ties with Israel immediately.

Israeli government officials say a compromise being discussed could see Israel freeze building except for 2,500 units currently under construction. They spoke on condition of anonymity because details of
the talks between Israel and the U.S. are secret.

The number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank - home to some 2.5 million Palestinians - has more than doubled since the mid-1990s and now stands at around 300,000.

Netanyahu has compromised some since taking office in March, after winning an election on a hard-line platform.

But the settlement watchdog group Peace Now said Sunday that there had been no real slowdown in construction and that settlers could keep building indefinitely, using plans that have already been approved.

Netanyahu has meanwhile taken steps to improve life for Palestinians in the West Bank. With the territory enjoying a period of calm, some Israeli military checkpoints have been lifted, permits for importing raw materials are being granted, and there are other signs that life there is assuming a semblance of normalcy.

Netanyahu would like to resume direct negotiations with the Palestinian Authority following the United Nations General Assembly meeting in late September.

The Palestinians, however, have refused to renew talks until the Israelis
freeze settlement construction.

Veteran Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who has headed the Palestinian delegations at most negotiations with Israel since 1991, will be a guest of Haaretz Q&A on Tuesday, August 25, at 11 A.M. Israel time. Click here to send questions.

U.S. seeks role of 'active mediator' in Mideast talks

Meanwhile, a senior political source in Jerusalem told Haaretz Sunday that the U.S. has informed Israel that it is interested in assuming the role of "active mediator" during the talks, and "have a place at the negotiating table."

However, Netanyahu's foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, told reporters Sunday that he sees no chance of peace.

"In the 16 years since the Oslo Accords, we haven't managed to bring peace to the region, and I'm willing to bet that there won't be peace in another 16 years, either. Certainly not on the basis of the two-state solution," Lieberman said.

Sources close to the prime minister said they hope that if an understanding is reached regarding settlement construction, a tripartite meeting could be held with President Barack Obama and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the United Nations.

PM to meet Mitchell

Netanyahu told the cabinet during its weekly session Sunday that his meeting with Mitchell in London is not expected to be the final one, and stressed that more meetings will be necessary before peace talks can begin. "The discussions with Mitchell are just the beginning of a series of talks and exchanges that have been going on intensively recently, and in good spirits," the prime minister said.

"There has been some progress, even though there is no absolute agreement. There is an attempt to minimize the degree of disagreement and discuss matters in a much more positive atmosphere. There is a wish to hold direct talks between us and the Palestinians, even though this depends on the understandings with the Americans and the Palestinians," Netanyahu told his cabinet colleagues.

The U.S. would like to be given guarantees by Israel that it will freeze settlement construction for at least a year, while Israel is offering a six-month hiatus. A political source in Jerusalem estimated that a compromise of 9-12 months will be reached for construction in the West Bank, but will not include East Jerusalem or most of the 2,500 housing units whose construction has already commenced.

Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman is due to visit Israel next week to meet with political leaders.

Netanyahu spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah Sunday afternoon, and greeted him for the Holy Month of Ramadan, which commenced on August 22. The King reiterated the significance of the Arab Peace Initiative and said that "the negotiations must be resumed as soon as possible in order to resolve the dispute."

The prime minister is traveling to London at a time when domestically the political scene is relatively calm and his coalition appears to be stable. In the Forum of Six, the group of senior ministers in which sensitive political-security issues are discussed, there is unusually vocal opposition, and some of the participants are even urging Netanyahu onward toward progress on the diplomatic front.

The "doves" in the forum comprise Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Dan Meridor. Barak is keen to see progress on a regional settlement in line with U.S. plans. Barak supports a temporary freeze of settlement construction, in return for steps toward normalization of ties with the Arab world. Meridor is also keen to see the tension in Israel-U.S. ties pass by, and for the resumption of negotiations on a peace plan for the Middle East.

The most "hawkish" member of the forum, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, is for the time being giving Netanyahu plenty of leeway. Speaking to reporters, Lieberman said that he does not believe it will be possible to reach a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians in the foreseeable future, but also said that he does not intend to undermine the prime minister's political efforts.

'Unrealistic goal'

"The establishment of a Palestinian state within two years is an unrealistic goal," Lieberman noted, refering to the vision of U.S. President Obama. "There are some who believe this is possible, and I do not want to interfere. I am ready to grant time so that there will be another effort to reach a Palestinian state, but I will not take on tasks that I do not believe in," he said.

However, in an address at Ariel before students there, Lieberman objected to the possibility that any sort of restriction be placed on Jews building or living in East Jerusalem. "I have said that there are 7,000 Arabs living in West Jerusalem. Can you imagine that the state would prevent the Arab citizens from finding apartments on Ben Yehuda Street, but to do so to Jews is permissible?" Lieberman asked.

"This double standard must not be accepted; we are not looking for confrontations or conflicts, but we will defend our national honor," he promised.

The other two hawks, Moshe Ya'alon and Benny Begin, are opposed to the resumption of negotiations, but both are keeping a relatively low profile as far as their public criticism of the prime minister is concerned.

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      1.   The worst choice for top diplomat in Israel 03:08  |  Fortuna Benmayor 24/08/09
      2.   Israel won`t last 16 years without peace... 03:09  |  BBSNews 24/08/09
      3.   Lieberman`s assessment is right 03:15  |  Brod 24/08/09
      4.   There is no peace precisely because of Israelis like Lieberman 03:25  |  peacelover 24/08/09
      5.   I agree Lieberman is a joke 03:31  |  Jim Goldstein 24/08/09
      6.   Fortuna 03:35  |  Jasper 24/08/09
      7.   #1 03:41  |  Iranian jew 24/08/09
      8.   Can sombody shut up this clown already? 04:04  |  Dan 24/08/09
      9.   #1 04:11  |  Sam 24/08/09
      10.   Lieberman`s time is up 04:27  |  John Q. Public 24/08/09
      11.   16 years 04:43  |  vik 24/08/09
      12.   lieberman is an honest man 04:44  |  arab 24/08/09
      13.   Jasper compares Liebermen with Lincoln? 04:48  |  Ibrahim 24/08/09
      14.   Lieberman speaks for ruling elite 04:58  |  Brent 24/08/09
      15.   Lieberman is simply stating the truth 05:08  |  Aussie Michael 24/08/09
      16.   To Jasper 05:20  |  Mike 24/08/09
      17.   Liberman for president 05:25  |  Allan 24/08/09
      18.   No peace without recognizing Israel`s legitimacy as the... 05:28  |  Beni 24/08/09
      19.   Lieberman: Unpopular Defender of Israel 05:30  |  Steve of Mevaserret 24/08/09
      20.   Leiberman speaks the truth 06:08  |  dudu 24/08/09
      21.   Netanyahu-Lieberman Don`t Want Peace 06:18  |  Vladek 24/08/09
      22.   Hypocrit par excellance... 06:31  |  Esther 24/08/09
      23.   Lieberman: Unpopular Defender of Israel (2nd try) 06:42  |  Steve of Mevaserret 24/08/09
      24.   #1, Fortuna 06:46  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/08/09
      25.   Allan, learn how to spell the man`s name before you fete him... 06:58  |  BBSNews 24/08/09
      26.   lieberman 07:32  |  mike 24/08/09
      27.   The foreign minister who lays bets 08:14  |  sh 24/08/09
      28.   The crucial threat to peace. 08:22  |  B. Gold 24/08/09
      29.   This is the big lie of the Israel/Palestine conflict. 08:24  |  B. Gold 24/08/09
      30.   Names and faces don`t matter. Israel favors expansion over peace 08:42  |  Natallie Durson 24/08/09
      31.   These continual nay sayers are the joke 08:53  |  lily 24/08/09
      32.   ` I`m willing to bet that there won`t be peace in another 16 year 08:54  |  Colin Wright 24/08/09
      33.   To BBS News #17 `Allan learn how to spell...` 09:00  |  Colin Wright 24/08/09
      34.   Peace Talks Mumbo Jumbo 09:26  |  Philip 24/08/09
      35.   #12 maybe you should first ask the Jews 09:40  |  chris 24/08/09
      36.   #17 spelling the man`s name 09:57  |  chris 24/08/09
      37.   Aw gee, Mr Lieberman fails to see how Israel`s land grabbing... 10:03  |  Maureen Ann 24/08/09
      38.   continuiing conflict or peace? 10:16  |  peter rouget 24/08/09
      39.   Thanks, Libi, for greasing the skids for international sanctions 10:29  |  Ivar 24/08/09
      40.   NEWS NEWS US to demand role as "active mediator" 10:31  |  Sarah Ruster 24/08/09
      41.   nothing new here 10:54  |  Jim 24/08/09
      42.   Sure show the world that Palestinians do not want peace 10:59  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 24/08/09
      43.   Bibi speaks 11:37  |  Alan Pesach 24/08/09
      44.   Lieberman the realist.. 11:38  |  Akram Zekaria 24/08/09
      45.   Israel preserving air--trying to outlast Obama 12:02  |  Labhras 24/08/09
      46.   #45labarse of arabia and how to be an idiot without 12:18  |  v hardman 24/08/09
      47.   peace 12:26  |  shimi 24/08/09
      48.   peace in middle east 12:27  |  sarah 24/08/09
      49.   Liberman is a demagogue 12:40  |  Abu Firas Alqudsi 24/08/09
      50.   US Seeks role 12:41  |  DT 24/08/09
      51.   COLIN WRIGHT 12:41  |  shimi 24/08/09
      52.   Jaw,Jaw is better than War,War 12:49  |  khairi janbek 24/08/09
      53.   promises 13:07  |  oz 24/08/09
      54.   Obama Obfuscation 13:11  |  Ori 24/08/09
      55.   Peace with Who? 13:14  |  Ori 24/08/09
      56.   Victor Hardhead aka Paul Harris---ever try posting 13:15  |  Labhras 24/08/09
      57.   No peace - ever 13:38  |  Gully Foyle 24/08/09
      58.   To Chaim Ben Kahan 13:38  |  Sam Soul 24/08/09
      59.   As Lieberman speaks for a political wing not the State, he is not 13:40  |  r cummings 24/08/09
      60.   To vhardman 13:44  |  Sam Soul 24/08/09
      61.   Mediation Problem 14:16  |  khairi janbek 24/08/09
      62.   I think there is divine intervention---finally. 14:17  |  Labhras 24/08/09
      63.   # 19 steve 14:20  |  Axel 24/08/09
      64.   I think there is divine intervention---finally. 14:22  |  Labhras 24/08/09
      65.   #46 victor hardman 14:33  |  chris 24/08/09
      66.   making peace with enemies 14:37  |  avrum 24/08/09
      67.   Talks 14:45  |  sechel 24/08/09
      68.   Just curious - anybody believes in "peace"? 14:55  |  17 24/08/09
      69.   active mediator 15:07  |  oz 24/08/09
      70.   colin wright 15:15  |  maybe this time 24/08/09
      71.   #63 Das ist falsche Logik, Herr Axel !! 15:42  |  The Prophet 24/08/09
      72.   The Intrasigence of Israel Is Clear To See 15:53  |  Yaakov Sullivan 24/08/09
      73.   You cannot have peace with those who want to kill you 16:05  |  Alex 24/08/09
      74.   1- Fortuna, from 1933 until 1939 there was one... 16:07  |  bat yam 24/08/09
      75.   Israel No Longer Honored Partner 16:14  |  Vladek 24/08/09
      76.   Bibi and Jerusalem 16:29  |  fredyr 24/08/09
      77.   Peace is possible 16:30  |  Anonymous 24/08/09
      78.   avrum # 66 Here`s An Idea (The Northridge Plan) 16:33  |  Jeff Northridge 24/08/09
      79.   Bibi lies 16:34  |  Lila 24/08/09
      80.   #63 Das ist falsche Logik, Herr Axel !! 16:38  |  The Prophet 24/08/09
      81.   #66 - making peace with enemies 16:41  |  Gully Foyle 24/08/09
      82.   #60 sam from gay paree and the moon fairies 16:43  |  v hardman 24/08/09
      83.   Peace finally 16:46  |  Anonymous 24/08/09
      84.   Rabin 16:47  |  gabriel 24/08/09
      85.   preconditions spoil any attempt at peace 17:00  |  peter rouget 24/08/09
      86.   labhras 17:01  |  shimi 24/08/09
      87.   ISRAEL WILL OBEY THE U.S. 17:07  |  WE 24/08/09
      88.   batty yammer compares churchill to lieberman? 17:11  |  U R insane 24/08/09
      89.   This just in ... 17:16  |  Gully Foyle 24/08/09
      90.   My Question For Erekat 17:24  |  Jeff Northridge 24/08/09
      91.   palestinian state in America 17:34  |  Barry Larkman 24/08/09
      92.   Calling all Diaspora... 17:35  |  Steve 24/08/09
      93.   3 nothing to ad. No more Arab `victories`like that one of Gaza. 17:42  |  Jew-and Bookburner 24/08/09
      94.   Obama - Does he have the Courage? 18:02  |  Bill 24/08/09
      95.   The demand on Jews is a form of racism, anti-Jewish racism 18:03  |  Amihai 24/08/09
      96.   #69 Bat yam - stupid comparisons 18:05  |  Welshman 24/08/09
      97.   bat yam should expand on historical precedent 18:14  |  Arie 24/08/09
      98.   Barry Larkman, Palestinians have their own land... 18:19  |  BBSNews 24/08/09
      99.   avrum # 66 Here`s An Idea (The Northridge Plan) (2nd try) 18:39  |  Jeff Northridge 24/08/09
      100.   #71 The palestinians are not from US,like you are not from NZ 18:40  |  James 24/08/09
      101.   answer to 71 19:01  |  flora 24/08/09
      102.   Jews vs Arabs 19:59  |  Jennifer 24/08/09
      103.   To Ibrahim: we all need an "open mind" 20:01  |  Jewish Tao 24/08/09
      104.   Vladek - Go right ahead and then you will see Israel 20:04  |  Ben 24/08/09
      105.   Everything is only temporary 20:12  |  David 24/08/09
      106.   Axel, the USA is not a good example 20:16  |  4truth 24/08/09
      107.   Chris in Munich 20:29  |  Jennifer 24/08/09
      108.   Beni 20:30  |  flora 24/08/09
      109.   answer to 20:32  |  flora 24/08/09
      110.   "No Limits On Jerusalem"--Bibi 20:44  |  Jeff Northridge 24/08/09
      111.   I love Netanyahu! Thank G_D Livni is not PM. 20:48  |  4:20 24/08/09
      112.   harretz`s acceptance of one liners with no contibution. 20:56  |  Nevada_len 24/08/09
      113.   And Mitchell Better Be Prepared 20:57  |  Yaakov Sullivan 24/08/09
      114.   Peace Partner 20:59  |  Dave Duncan 24/08/09
      115.   # 75 4truth 21:01  |  Sxel 24/08/09
      116.   Barry Larkman, Israeli State in America... 21:18  |  Ibrahim 24/08/09
      117.   The Minimum: 300,000 Rights of Return for Palestinians - Same 21:19  |  Monitor 24/08/09
      118.   when will my planet finally.... 21:24  |  John MAckie 24/08/09
      119.   my thoughts 21:31  |  Evie Falconer 24/08/09
      120.   hoping for peace 21:38  |  Evie Falconer 24/08/09
      121.   Tp Ori. Peace with who? 21:44  |  John MAckie 24/08/09
      122.   Milking the Clock 21:52  |  Michael 24/08/09
      123.   Obama is just a temporary occurence but Israel 22:00  |  Dude 24/08/09
      124.   Enough With Kow Towing to Israel 22:09  |  Bill 24/08/09
      125.   Milking the Clock 22:11  |  Michael 24/08/09
      126.   #83 Monitor-You can demand 50 million ROR+half of Tel Aviv 22:16  |  Sam 24/08/09
      127.   4truth, I`m American Indian, you are a liar... 22:39  |  BBSNews 24/08/09
      128.   George Mitchell can simply plunk UNSC res 478 in front of Bibi... 22:47  |  BBSNews 24/08/09
      129.   my thoughts 23:22  |  Hirz 24/08/09
      130.   Settlements 23:40  |  Jorge Grosz 24/08/09
      131.   U.S. Israel peace plan 00:07  |  muggles 25/08/09
      132.   #85 Evie Falconer 00:26  |  BDS 25/08/09
      133.   2.5 million 00:40  |  mark 25/08/09
      134.   Leiberman is No Worse Than Your Typical Arab Leader 00:54  |  lagunageno 25/08/09
      135.   It is not about settlements 01:23  |  Xavier de Costa 25/08/09
      136.   Iranian Jew why are you not in Israel where it called you to come 01:25  |  sj 25/08/09
      137.   U.S. State Dept. Spokesman Ian Kelly Is Hopefull 01:36  |  Jeff Northridge 25/08/09
      138.   israel palestinian peace 01:51  |  imad 25/08/09
      139.   #85 02:15  |  adam 25/08/09
      140.   BBSNews:Israel won`t last 16 years without peace... 02:17  |  Christopher 25/08/09
      141.   16 years? 03:31  |  wibism 25/08/09
      142.   Dudu - one state 03:34  |  wibism 25/08/09
      143.   Sechel 03:42  |  wibism 25/08/09
      144.   Obama only wants...... 03:58  |  Rubicon 25/08/09
      145.   Until and unless the Arabs come to their senses and recognize... 05:37  |  Amihai 25/08/09
      146.   Is the US an honest broker or banrupt? 08:05  |  avrum 25/08/09
      147.   Mithchell should give it to Netanyahu straight... 19:13  |  Dutch 25/08/09
      148.   #137 Jeff N is spun around (2nd try) 05:24  |  Johnboy 26/08/09
      149.   #107 Jennifer 09:17  |  chris 26/08/09
      150.   #149 chris 03:35  |  Johnboy 27/08/09
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