Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., November 15, 2009 Cheshvan 28, 5770 | | Israel Time: 12:02 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Share |
Last update - 12:01 27/10/2009
PA negotiator: Israel painting us as 'untrustworthy bastards'
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Tags: Obama, Middle East Peace 

The chief Palestinian negotiator lashed out at Israel's stance toward peace talks on Tuesday, after a report that his president, Mahmoud Abbas, had threatened to step down due to the lack of progress in the peace process.

"You're presenting us as 'untrustworthy bastards,' while the fact of the matter is that you're the ones foot-dragging and refusing to end the occupation," Saeb Erekat told Army Radio.

Channel 10 reported on Monday evening that Abbas has told the White House that he is considering stepping down. In the Army Radio interview on Tuesday, Erekat refused to confirm or deny the report, but said Israel's position on West Bank settlement building and other key issues was "intolerable."
Advertisement

"Netanyahu says he is ready to return to negotiations, but this the same old tune," Erekat added. "Every [Israeli] government that comes along demands that we come to the discussions without preconditions, after we have already succeeded in reaching agreements with previous governments."

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that Obama administration efforts should center on bolstering Abbas' position. Her comments were in a report to President Barack Obama last week on attempts to renew negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Channel 10 News reported last night that Abbas has told the White House that he is considering stepping down because of the lack of progress in the peace process.

A senior political source who was privy to the State Department report noted that in it Clinton had stressed the significant setback to Abbas in Palestinian public opinion because of the initial decision not to press ahead with bringing the Goldstone report on the Gaza Strip to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.

Days before the report was delivered to Obama, Erekat went to Washington, where he warned of a potential nightmare scenario as a result of the difficult domestic situation faced by Abbas and the overall desperation in the Ramallah headquarters of the Palestinian Authority government over the stalled peace process.

Clinton recommended a variety of measures to bolster Abbas, including a request to Israel that it carry out a series of goodwill actions and show greater flexibility in order to facilitate the resumption of talks. The secretary of state said in the report that strengthening Abbas is critical, as elections in the PA are likely in the near future.

Clinton also reported that she intends to meet on November 2 in Morocco with a group of Arab foreign ministers and will ask them to step up their political and economic support for Abbas vis-a-vis Hamas.


Related articles:
  • Clinton to Obama: We've made scant progress on Mideast peace
  • `Road map is a life saver for us,' PM Abbas tells Hamas
  • Obama has betrayed mission to forge Mideast peace
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Haredim vs. Intel
    Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protested Shabbat opening of Intel plant
    Erekat's threat
    PA negotiator: We may seek UN recognition of a Palestinian state
      1.   None of this BS will work 02:44  |  A Nice Fellow 27/10/09
      2.   Baksheesh for Abbas in form of dissolving Israel 02:48  |  Absolute Sweden 27/10/09
      3.   Israel dreams of Hamas taking over WB 05:37  |  Javier Lobo 27/10/09
      4.   "A good riddance of bad rubbish!" 05:51  |  Michael Hessler 27/10/09
      5.   Abbas 06:00  |  David Abraham 27/10/09
      6.   If you cant stand the heat - leave the kitchen.Just a Terrorist 06:11  |  Alfred 27/10/09
      7.   Wolf in sheep`s clothing 06:19  |  Meir M 27/10/09
      8.   Yes, please step down Abbas! 06:34  |  hf 27/10/09
      9.   He will not step down he steals too much 06:34  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 27/10/09
      10.   Be careful, Israel 06:50  |  Angry Arab (As`ad) 27/10/09
      11.   Abbas, lose lose situation 06:57  |  shmendrik 27/10/09
      12.   Pressure mounting on Obama to decide 07:39  |  Carmen Farreira 27/10/09
      13.   Bone 07:42  |  Joseph 27/10/09
      14.   Sorry, but that`s no longer good enough, Mrs. Clinton..... 08:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/10/09
      15.   Amazing all these Zionists who want Abbas to resign. 10:05  |  Michael 27/10/09
      16.   Clinton`s resignation would be a good start. 10:08  |  Michael 27/10/09
      17.   Abbas happy retirement 10:44  |  Israel Freeman 27/10/09
      18.   Israel is not alone! 11:44  |  Falastini 27/10/09
      19.   "Reactionary Forces in Washington" 11:53  |  Brant 27/10/09
      20.   One state solution gaing ground---and support from 12:14  |  Labhras 27/10/09
      21.   One state solution gaing ground---and support from 12:14  |  Labhras 27/10/09
      22.   absolutely correct 12:43  |  real vision 27/10/09
      23.   No preconditions for us, but preconditions for you. 13:02  |  AT 27/10/09
      24.   Israel painting us as `untrustworthy bastards` 13:20  |  jn 27/10/09
      25.   Arabs/Moslims/Palestinians!! 13:28  |  Jacob 27/10/09
      26.   It is internal matter of Arab residents of Judea and Samaria 14:21  |  17 27/10/09
      27.   #20 labras "A shining example" 14:40  |  H 27/10/09
      28.   PA negotiator:Israel painting us as untrustworthy bastards. 14:41  |  David Nigel Braham 27/10/09
      29.   I`m an Israeli, and I TRUST 100% in all the Palestinian groups. 14:47  |  Robert 27/10/09
      30.   As an outsider 15:34  |  Borat 27/10/09
      31.   Is it ALLOWED for ISRAELIS to Post HERE? 15:36  |  Gil 27/10/09
      32.   Is it ALLOWED for ISRAELIS to Post HERE? 15:36  |  Gil 27/10/09
      33.   Olmert and Barak 15:38  |  Motic 27/10/09
      34.   PA worse than untrustworthy..against peace, dont want PA state 15:52  |  David 27/10/09
      35.   Palestinians need an Arafat. 16:48  |  Ryan 27/10/09
      36.   Exactly - they are untrustworthy bastards 17:43  |  Victor 27/10/09
      37.   Bastards, what a lovely ,exquisite,"titre" 18:34  |  ZORRO 27/10/09
      38.   Obama Capitulated 18:53  |  Vladek 27/10/09
      39.   WHO can blaming Abbass after loosing EVERYTHING 19:40  |  Hashim 27/10/09
      40.   #1 a Nice fellow 19:48  |  Ice 27/10/09
      41.   Happiness of the right, would it last long? 20:00  |  Kader Karrimia 27/10/09
      42.   Untrustworthy bastards 21:01  |  SDHD 27/10/09
      43.   Fatah still its own worst enemy 21:17  |  Joe Sittizen 27/10/09
      44.   Untrustworthy bastards? 21:40  |  Catarin 27/10/09
      45.   Painting of bastards 22:00  |  Dudka 27/10/09
      46.   AT What preconditions for Talks does Israel have 22:11  |  PETER SM 27/10/09
      47.   2 countries for 2 peoples or take a hike 22:40  |  Sam 27/10/09
      48.   You painted that one all on your own Mr. chief negotiator 00:27  |  Jason 28/10/09
      49.   Saeb Erekat 01:54  |  Avnera 28/10/09
      50.   Its funny, but for the wrong reasons 01:54  |  RfaelMoshe 28/10/09
      51.   Ryan 02:13  |  Philippe 28/10/09
      52.   Ryan 35 on Arafat 03:58  |  Eaglebeak 28/10/09
      53.   PA heroes don`t need a makeover 05:12  |  Steve of Mevaserret 28/10/09
      54.   Hashim #39 well said my friend 05:21  |  Mike McKenna 28/10/09
      55.   Inglourious Basterds... 07:08  |  shtarka 28/10/09
      56.   Well duh! It`s the Pals themselves who know you`re untrustworthy 08:19  |  Joe Sittizen 28/10/09
      57.   2000 camp david anyone??? 10:45  |  Israeliguy 06/11/09
      58.   two states=massacre 10:47  |  Israeliguy 06/11/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    11:24 Obama: Time running out for nuclear deal with Iran
    11:11 Iran MP: We could produce our own missile defense system
    11:38 PA negotiator: Israel doesn't want two-state solution
    10:52 Sarkozy offers to host summit to break Mideast deadlock
    11:30 IDF Chief Rabbi: Troops who show mercy to enemy will be 'damned'
    08:15 Peres, not Goldstone, is the small man
    11:44 Who is the Israeli at the center of a 2.8b euro deal in Brazil?
    23:57 TV ROUND-UP: Jerusalem Haredim protest; Bill Clinton arrives in Israel
    11:21 Aspiring rabbi batters Puerto Rican to win piece of boxing title
    09:21 Bikers block Tel Aviv highway to protest insurance hikes
    07:57 IDF chief: Army open to looking into Goldstone claims
    03:20 New British law lets museums return works stolen by Nazis
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved