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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem on Monday. (Reuters)
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Palestinian source: Wide gaps remain as summit nears
By Amira Hass, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Annapolis, Palestinians 

A Palestinian source has told Haaretz that senior Palestinian leaders are concerned by the weak PLO stance in a joint document currently being drafted with Israel, ahead of a peace conference next Tuesday in the U.S.

The sources say that the document, a copy of which has been obtained by Haaretz, omits issues that were once presented as a Palestinian counterweight to Israeli demands, such as combating terror. (Click here to view a copy of the document.)

The Palestinian portion of the draft does not include a demand to dismantle roadblocks or the West Bank separation fence, and does not mention the decision by the International Court of Justice in The Hague with regard to the barrier.
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The PLO also makes no reference to the situation in the Gaza Strip and does not demand the opening of Gaza border crossings in order to ease the lives of the strip's residents.

These omissions of what had been previously accepted opening principles and key Palestinians stances are causing discontent among senior Palestinian leaders, the source said.

The source also said that there is still too much of a gulf between the positions of Israel and the Palestinians. The source said, however, that the draft was an early version of the joint document, dated November 17, and he did not know what changes, if any, had been made since.

The source said the main flaw in the Palestinian formulations was that there is no paragraph clearly stating that the construction of settlements will be frozen during negotiations.

The document consists of a number of sections, mainly declarative, on which the two teams had reached agreement, but mainly includes parallel paragraphs proposed by each side and marked "I" for Israel and "P" for Palestinian.

The draft, which the Palestinians called a "joint document" and not a joint declaration, begins with an affirmation of "our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples, to usher in a new era of peace based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition, and to propagate a culture of peace and non violence."

The document, dated November 17 at the King David Hotel, was drafted by Shalom Turjeman and Tal Becker for Israel and Saeb Erekat and Zeinah Salahi for the Palestinians.

The document begins with a preamble stating its goals, and contains a section on the negotiations, on the road map and on the function of the international community and the countries in the region. It also discusses a follow-up to the negotiations (only the Palestinians proposed this section) and contains a closing paragraph.

The Palestinian draft makes do with a general statement, which also appeared in the interim agreement in 1995, that neither side would initiate steps that would change the status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This is the formulation the Palestinians cite in arguing that construction in the settlements contradicts the Oslo Accords. The only addition to this section is a reference to East Jerusalem as part of the West Bank.

One major point of contention as revealed by the draft is the question of a timetable for ending negotiations. The Palestinians write that the two sides agree to "launch good faith negotiations in order to conclude a treaty within 8 months of the convening of the meeting in Annapolis, but not later than President Bush's term, providing a just solution to all aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." The Israeli position as it appears in the November 17 draft states specifically "no agreement to timeline."

The Palestinians write that the negotiations will be "based on the agreed terms of reference and principles herein, including the Road Map...which called for an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, international law, the establishment of a sovereign independent State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel"

However, according to the Israelis, "the negotiations will be guided by the agreed terms of reference for the peace process."

The Palestinians believe that the Israeli stance will allow Israel to deviate from and alter previous agreements as it sees fit.

Among the terms of reference for negotiations, the Palestinians also include United Nations resolution 194 on the Palestinian right of return.

Israel does not accept these terms of reference, but notes the Quartet's demands, which led in 2006 to a boycott of the Hamas government and include recognition of Israel and a denouncement of terror.

The Palestinians oppose a number of statements appearing in the Israeli draft in the preamble proposals: Israel's formulation that the realization of self-determination is of "each people in their own territory," and that Israel is "the homeland for the Jewish people and Palestine is the homeland of the Palestinian people."

The Palestinians also oppose the mention of the word "terrorism" in the sentence discussing "bringing an end to incitement, extremism, terror and violence." They also oppose including in the joint document the phrase "secure the release of [captured soldier] Gilad Shalit."

The section on the road map contains the original draft of the American proposal for the joint document, and consists of five points.

But the Palestinian source said the Americans have withdrawn the five points because of Israel's opposition to some of them. Israel is said to be opposed to the "immediate and parallel" implementation of the road map and the establishment of an American-Palestinian-Israeli committee to monitor implementation. It also opposes the U.S. as "monitor and judge" of each party as it tries to fulfill its obligations.

The main area of relative agreement is in the function of the international community and the countries in the region. But the Palestinians oppose the statement "steady improvement of regional ties with Israel, and the proportion of regional cooperation on issues of common concern."

The section entitled "Follow-Up Mechanism" is an entirely Palestinian proposal. They propose the immediate establishment of negotiating committees to begin operating on the second day of the Annapolis summit and the calling of an international conference every three months to review progress.

As the Palestinians had promised the media, in the concluding paragraph the Palestinians propose that all Palestinian prisoners be released with the signing of the treaty. They also refer to improving the daily lives and welfare of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian source said the framers of the Palestinian draft were adopting "a vague Israeli formulation" in writing: "Israel will make every effort to improve the daily lives and advance the welfare of the Palestinian population pending the full implementation of the treaty," instead of clear-cut demands to remove roadblocks, end travel restrictions and dismantle the separation fence.

In the concluding paragraph an Israeli comment appears "Note: Outstanding question for consideration - How to address the situation in Gaza in the document?"

Related links:
  • Joint document currently being drafted by Israel and the Palestinians
  • Official Annapolis conference Web site
  • List of invitees to peace conference in Annapolis
  • ANALYSIS: The importance of who attends Annapolis from Arab states
  • Barak: Israel mustn't allow itself to be blamed if Annapolis fails
  • Rice: U.S. will try to close Israeli-Palestinian peace deal in the next year
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      1.   abbas is a stooge,why else did they get rid of arafat who was 03:13  |  lakshmi 22/11/07
      2.   Spies! Leaks! Leaks And Spies Everywhere! 03:46  |  Jeff Northridge 22/11/07
      3.   Always the victim 04:26  |  Sam 22/11/07
      4.   LAKSHMI AND STOOGES 04:29  |  Brant 22/11/07
      5.   So long as the Palestinian leadership refuses to 06:52  |  Avihu 22/11/07
      6.   And the PA are HAPPY to OPPOSE what they DON`T like 07:06  |  CK Tan 22/11/07
      7.   Worthless Drivel 07:06  |  Alan 22/11/07
      8.   To all Israelis and Palestinens, Arabs and including Saeb Erekat 07:08  |  Khalil Ishabib 22/11/07
      9.   The largest gap - lack of recognition of Israel 07:48  |  Tomer 22/11/07
      10.   GAPS?ARABS NEVER GET ENOUGH.STOP ALL CONCESSIONS,ARREST TERRORSTS 07:52  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 22/11/07
      11.   Arabs` plan is to negotiate every Jewish State` right to exist 08:06  |  Joseph E . 22/11/07
      12.   # 8 Khalil Ishabib ,@ Ein Karem wich is located in J`lem West 08:28  |  Joseph E . 22/11/07
      13.   How about this gap 08:47  |  Zev 22/11/07
      14.   What compromise are the Pals offering to Israel? 09:08  |  Curious george 22/11/07
      15.   Amira are you more Palestinian than Abbas? Representing Hamas? 09:15  |  Rob 22/11/07
      16.   Gaza Was To Be The Embryonic Test Case 09:22  |  Joseph E . 22/11/07
      17.   What Sort of Idiot would believe anything signed by Arabs 09:43  |  Dolly 22/11/07
      18.   you cannot make a silk purse from a sows ear !! 10:17  |  victor hardman 22/11/07
      19.   Very little hope for Gilad Shalit 10:19  |  Swiss (Dino) 22/11/07
      20.   GREAT IS AN UNDER-STATEMENT 10:19  |  indrajaya 22/11/07
      21.   To Khalil Ishabib # 8 = How about Arabs Compensating Jews 10:22  |  Dagma 22/11/07
      22.   Good Morning Jews :) Lets talk about LOVE (Part 1) 10:30  |  Atilla Karagözoğlu 22/11/07
      23.   Tomer 10:46  |  sh 22/11/07
      24.   Abbas looks like a lost child 10:53  |  The Arab Hammer 22/11/07
      25.   Demilitarized state? 11:06  |  Simply a Jew 22/11/07
      26.   Wonderful Arab logic 11:07  |  A Jew 22/11/07
      27.   Read it for yourselves: Amira`s comments are propaganda 11:12  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 22/11/07
      28.   Let me share a dream with you 11:26  |  Atilla 22/11/07
      29.   another dream 11:28  |  ...... 22/11/07
      30.   LAKSHMI"got rid of Arafat"Do you have Arafat`s death certificate? 11:46  |  PETER S .M. 22/11/07
      31.   HAMAS has rejected Abbas& Annopolis.The Pal Govt opts for war 12:03  |  PETER S .M. 22/11/07
      32.   ARAB Hammer .Desperately knocking to gether excuses 12:22  |  PETER S.M. 22/11/07
      33.   lLIVING BY THE SWORD which the Western Civilised world 12:37  |  Dolly 22/11/07
      34.   Of Course There are Gaps 12:43  |  Jane 22/11/07
      35.   INDRAJAYA.How do you know whats in the document 12:44  |  PETER S.M. 22/11/07
      36.   Hey Khalil, shwoyah shwoyah #8 12:48  |  FOX 22/11/07
      37.   Israel is negotiating with itself 12:54  |  Palestinian 22/11/07
      38.   The Arab Slammer #24 12:54  |  FOX 22/11/07
      39.   Israel is negotiating with itself 12:54  |  Palestinian 22/11/07
      40.   Khalil Ishabib 12:58  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 22/11/07
      41.   Peter A.M. regarding Indrajaya 13:04  |  FOX 22/11/07
      42.   A road without cops waiting for a crash 13:11  |  Tosefta 22/11/07
      43.   INTENTIONAL GAPS 13:12  |  following 22/11/07
      44.   INTENTIONAL GAPS 13:12  |  following 22/11/07
      45.   Palestinian from Jerusalem, Israel do note: 13:17  |  Rina Aharoni 22/11/07
      46.   39Palestinian,nearly 50 ministers of the parliament are in jail, 13:27  |  lakshmi 22/11/07
      47.   VOICE OF MOSHIACH))) @10 13:27  |  GABE1 22/11/07
      48.   Peter SM & other zionists,there continues to be speculation on 13:45  |  lakshmi 22/11/07
      49.   Palestinian Trioka of Incompetence 13:45  |  El-Birawi 22/11/07
      50.   Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with Praise 14:02  |  Happy Thanksgiving 22/11/07
      51.   Everybody signs: nobody thinks 14:04  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 22/11/07
      52.   peace = compromise 14:08  |  dr eric 22/11/07
      53.   To PETER S.M. # 31 - Hamas Dismisses Annapolis 14:11  |  Dorothea 22/11/07
      54.   The last sentence of the draft says it all... 14:15  |  Fortuna Benmayor 22/11/07
      55.   Tosefta the ultimate back-seat driver 14:39  |  FOX 22/11/07
      56.   # 41, FOX 14:55  |  indrajaya 22/11/07
      57.   To Palestinian # 39 - WHICH Palestinians 15:00  |  Dagma 22/11/07
      58.   Happy thanksgiving Virginia and other Americans here 15:14  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 22/11/07
      59.   Fox Karkur failed attempt at comedy 15:16  |  The Arab Hammer 22/11/07
      60.   Rabid Fox on the loose #55 15:19  |  Tosefta 22/11/07
      61.   Dagma where do you get this rubbish from? 15:30  |  The Arab Hammer 22/11/07
      62.   To Rina Aharoni # 45 Surely not a Threat? 15:31  |  Dagma 22/11/07
      63.   lakshmi is a stooge...why else would 15:32  |  Lynn 22/11/07
      64.   Indrajaya please be nice to fox 15:33  |  The Arab Hammer 22/11/07
      65.   Happy THANKSGIVING Virginia....... 15:43  |  Lynn 22/11/07
      66.   Haaretz takes Palestinian position 16:02  |  David Miller 22/11/07
      67.   El-Birawi # 49 Oslo 16:04  |  Jeff Northridge 22/11/07
      68.   Happy Thanksgiving: Israel is the turkey 16:26  |  Jonathan S 22/11/07
      69.   Olmert`s Ode to Condi 16:37  |  Tosefta 22/11/07
      70.   #47GABE1:LEGALLY YOU CANNOT KILL IF THEY SURRENDER.EXECUTION ALSO 16:41  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 22/11/07
      71.   to Arab Hammer#61 16:47  |  Ilya 22/11/07
      72.   same old promises 16:54  |  Matthew 22/11/07
      73.   #65 Lynn 16:54  |  tbora 22/11/07
      74.   Indrajaya,El Birawi,Arab Hammer and friends,you may be interested 16:57  |  lakshmi 22/11/07
      75.   Gap between `Israel` and PA 16:59  |  tbora 22/11/07