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Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat. (Lior Mizrahi)
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Last update - 18:33 12/11/2007
Erekat: Palestinians will not accept Israel as 'Jewish state'
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Tags: Saeb Erekat, peace talks 

Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization, rejected on Monday the government's demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

In an interview with Israel Radio, Erekat said that "no state in the world connects its national identity to a religious identity."

Also Monday, dozens of prominent Palestinian residents of Jerusalem published an appeal to the Abbas, asking him not to make concessions to Israel over the holy city in the upcoming talks.
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The full-page newspaper ad, signed by 108 prominent Jerusalemites, including top Christian and Muslim leaders, did not make specific demands. However, the signatories asked Abbas not to negotiate a deal that would "violate our national rights."

"Israel should return all of east Jerusalem, the area it captured in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed to its capital," said signatory Adnan Hussein, an adviser to Abbas on Jerusalem affairs.

Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that the starting point for all negotiations with the Palestinians will be the "recognition of Israel as a state for the Jewish people,

This recognition is meant to bolster Israel's position that rejects the return of Palestinian refugees to areas inside the Green Line - the border before the 1967 Six-Day War.

"We won't hold negotiations on our existence as a Jewish state, this is a launching point for all negotiations," Olmert said.

"We won't have an argument with anyone in the world over the fact that Israel is a state of the Jewish people. Whoever does not accept this cannot hold any negotiations with me. This has been made clear to the Palestinians and the Americans. I have no doubt that Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas] and [PA premier Salam] Fayad are committed to prior agreements and want to make peace with Israel as a Jewish state," Olmert continued.

Olmert also stated this position at a meeting on Sunday to discuss the peace summit scheduled for the end of the month in Annapolis and the negotiations toward a final-settlement agreement. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and the heads of the intelligence services attended the meeting.

Olmert told the gathering that immediately at the start of negotiations following the summit, Israel will set a precondition that the Palestinians recognize Israel as "a Jewish state."

"I do not intend to compromise in any way over the issue of the Jewish state," Olmert said, thereby accepting the position of Livni and Barak. "This will be a condition for our recognition of a Palestinian state."

Olmert said he raised the importance of this issue during his talks with European and American officials, and their response had been positive.

However, during talks in recent weeks between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams, the Palestinians refused to include the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state in the shared declaration the teams are preparing, which will be made at Annapolis. Erekat's statement to Israel Radio on Monday did not seem to imply that refusal would waver ahead of the summit.

Olmert also confirmed at Monday's meeting that talks with the Palestinians were proceeding in a new direction, toward negotiations over a final-status deal, despite the fact that the first stage of the U.S.-backed road map had not been implemented.

The first stage of the road map calls on the Palestinians to dismantle terror groups. The sides had agreed recently that talks would proceed according to the document.

In recent weeks, politicians from the right, especially MK Yisrael Katz (Likud), have taken to accusing the government of holding negotiations outside of road map dictates.

Olmert essentially confirmed those accusations. "There is a new outline," he said. "The traditional position has been that there will be no road map implementation without the first phase. I came to the conclusion that we are somewhat able to change the tradition."

Meanwhile, despite Palestinian claims that there is a crisis in the talks, Livni and Qureia exchanged drafts of the joint declaration that Israel and the Palestinians are to present at the Annapolis summit.

Government officials did not deny reports in recent days that Israel had surprisingly softened its stance on the core issues - particularly on borders and Jerusalem.

The prime minister was scheduled to appear before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Monday morning to present the principles that will guide Israel in the negotiations with the Palestinians.

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      1.   Erekat and Olmert: Both are right and both are wrong..... 13:53  |  Swiss (Dino) 12/11/07
      2.   Saib 13:55  |  Rani Habelgi 12/11/07
      3.   Israel isn`t going to adhere to Phase 1 13:59  |  Lars Hansen 12/11/07
      4.   NO REASON TO MAKE PEACE WITH DENIERS OF REALITY 13:59  |  WARRIOR 12/11/07
      5.   Erekat 14:01  |  SystemF 12/11/07
      6.   Is Palestine a Palestinian State? 14:02  |  dyinglikeflies 12/11/07
      7.   On this issue Jews are united 14:08  |  Sam 12/11/07
      8.   is this same as recognition of South Africa as a White State 14:16  |  Bill 12/11/07
      9.   Erekat: no recognition of israel as a Jewish State 14:17  |  Strangelove 12/11/07
      10.   Good reason to cancel, peace can wait for leaders who deserve it 14:18  |  Alain 12/11/07
      11.   Saudi Arabia, Vatican, do not connet to religious identity?? 14:19  |  Alain 12/11/07
      12.   No recognition as a Jewish state 14:19  |  Moshe 12/11/07
      13.   This man is expert in getting negotiations failed 14:20  |  Alain 12/11/07
      14.   WHY THIS CONDITION??? MANY ISRAELIS DON`T 14:24  |  B`Galil 12/11/07
      15.   Erekat: No recognition of Israel as a `Jewish state` 14:25  |  Halevi 12/11/07
      16.   A) The requirement of the Palestinian leadership to recognize 14:26  |  Nava 12/11/07
      17.   Dont worry Olmert...we know that you`ll cave in on this issue too 14:26  |  SLAVO 12/11/07
      18.   Israel is soft as butter and arouses contempt only 14:27  |  Absolute Sweden 12/11/07
      19.   Halt the charade 14:27  |  Amos 12/11/07
      20.   To all leftists (and Haaretz)...READ THE HEADLINE CAREFULLY. 14:27  |  SLAVO 12/11/07
      21.   Well, at least they are keeping it REAL - This is good. 14:29  |  Virginia 12/11/07
      22.   Now Comes The Spin 14:37  |  Erik 12/11/07
      23.   Then no "Palestinian State" 14:38  |  David 12/11/07
      24.   SO: Palestine will NOT be a Moslem state? 14:40  |  Alicia 12/11/07
      25.   No recogniztion of Israel as a Jewish State 14:44  |  Hilda 12/11/07
      26.   Islamic States 14:45  |  Gentleman Writer 12/11/07
      27.   The Islamic Republic of Iran 14:47  |  Dani 12/11/07
      28.   Erekat: 14:48  |  Steve 12/11/07
      29.   Bill #3 14:50  |  Avi Yerushalmi 12/11/07
      30.   A Jewish State for Jewish People 14:51  |  Billy T 12/11/07
      31.   Erekat 14:53  |  Baruch Hashem 12/11/07
      32.   American taxpayer dollars supporting a "Jewish State"? 14:53  |  Natallie Durson 12/11/07
      33.   B`galil, I disagree 14:56  |  Israeli guy 12/11/07
      34.   UNIQUE IDENTITY 14:57  |  Ben Uziel 12/11/07
      35.   Hypocrisy rules 14:58  |  john 12/11/07
      36.   reality is setting in arab palestine is jordan 14:58  |  victor hardman 12/11/07
      37.   Proves Arab Intent to Destroy Israel 15:00  |  ralphsrant1 12/11/07
      38.   REALLY,MR ERAKAT?WHAT ABOUT..... 15:03  |  Ian 12/11/07
      39.   Palestinian dream has always been to overwhelm Jews numerically 15:03  |  Sam 12/11/07
      40.   Re SLAVO #10 15:05  |  Esther 12/11/07
      41.   #14 Where are you pulling your facts from? 15:06  |  Gili 12/11/07
      42.   Israel - A Jewish State 15:07  |  Stephen 12/11/07
      43.   Jewish or Jewish majority 15:09  |  Murray 12/11/07
      44.   Erekat, please settle down to business 15:10  |  Tzfonit 12/11/07
      45.   Let`s hear fm both sides.How is it meant & how is it perceived? 15:10  |  Virginia 12/11/07
      46.   Palesrinians are just frightened by peace and try to prevent it 15:11  |  17 12/11/07
      47.   # 8 B`galil 15:15  |  A JEW 12/11/07
      48.   #32correction for nutullie who always gets it wrong 15:15  |  victor hardman 12/11/07
      49.   # 32 Nat, Am. Christians are not at odds with the Jewish people 15:18  |  WeGladlySupportThem 12/11/07
      50.   Hey Billy T, Guess what? 15:20  |  Tzfonit 12/11/07
      51.   #32 Natallie Dur d`Oreille 15:22  |  Hastaroth 12/11/07
      52.   Would they want to, Alicia? 15:22  |  Murray 12/11/07
      53.   58 countries link State and religion - Erekat is ignorant! 15:23  |  redmike 12/11/07
      54.   #24 Yes,Alicia,Palestine will not be a Moslem state 15:24  |  Hastaroth 12/11/07
      55.   `Jewish` State = Racist State!!!!!! 15:25  |  POP 12/11/07
      56.   Israel will always be the Jewis State - cancel Annapolis! 15:25  |  Strangelove 12/11/07
      57.   #1 Dino, well said 15:26  |  newageblues 12/11/07
      58.   ereket pray forgiveness for dooming another pal generation 15:34  |  ralph 12/11/07
      59.   Omert & the new holocaust? 15:37  |  Dutch Dirk 12/11/07
      60.   Natalie #32 15:42  |  Avi Yerushalmi 12/11/07
      61.   To #33 Israeli Guy 15:49  |  B`Galil 12/11/07
      62.   systemf 5 15:52  |  realism 12/11/07
      63.   wake up Israel !!!! 15:54  |  Dr Eric 12/11/07
      64.   US demands that Mexico recognise it as a white state 15:54  |  SD 12/11/07
      65.   strangelove 9 15:55  |  realism 12/11/07
      66.   Of course no Palestinian could recognize 15:56  |  Rebekah S 12/11/07
      67.   Jews as a Nationality 15:57  |  Jason, Ph.D. 12/11/07
      68.   Every Islamic state connects religion to national identity 16:00  |  Paul Freedman 12/11/07
      69.   Erekat`s crap 16:01  |  Brod 12/11/07
      70.   #14 Bgalil 16:02  |  Dr Eric 12/11/07
      71.   Natallie Durson 16:06  |  Lynn 12/11/07
      72.   Illegal Jewish State. 16:07  |  Shadi Fadda 12/11/07
      73.   To billy t 16:10  |  Dr Eric 12/11/07
      74.   Read His Lips 16:10  |  Proud Israeli 12/11/07
      75.   Pakistan Exists Soley as A Muslim State 16:17  |  Matthew 12/11/07
      76.   For Erekat 16:17  |  Yosemite 12/11/07
      77.   B`Galil - The Palestinians have other plans for you 16:18  |  Sam 12/11/07
      78.   Facts On The Ground 16:19  |  Ron 12/11/07
      79.   Would Jews support making the EU a "Christian" continent?