Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., December 17, 2007 Tevet 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 15:45 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Hanukkah

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Sunday. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 23:24 16/12/2007 Ahead of Paris donor summit, PA warns against E. J'lem building By Assaf Uni and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and News Agencies Tags: PA, donors conference, France  Israel's plan to build houses in East Jerusalem will cloud renewed peace talks, the Palestinian Authority said on Sunday, the day before an international aid conference in Paris meant to garner billions to help bolster the Palestinian economy. "The Paris meeting tomorrow is an important step forward. We hope the Israelis will not put any obstacles in front of the understandings of Annapolis," Palestinian spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah told reporters on Sunday after Abbas and Livni met. The Palestinians are reportedly pushing for the Quartet of Middle East negotiators - the United States, European Union, Russia, and the United Nations - to issue a statement condemning Israel's decision to build some 300 new homes in the controversial neighborhood of Har Homa. Advertisement Jerusalem is one of the stickiest issues preventing a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians demand East Jerusalem for their future capital, but Israel annexed the land soon after it was captured in the 1967 Six-Day War. "We need a clear cut Israeli decision concerning this [Har Homa] issue, which is very sensitive and important to the Palestinians. This issue is going to reflect itself, whether positively or negatively, in the coming negotiations," Abu Rdainah continued. Earlier Sunday, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met in Paris with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Regarding the construction, Livni insisted that "Israeli construction in Har Homa is not a new activity," and that "it is important not to deal with mutual complaints between the Israelis and the Palestinians," but to progress toward a common goal. Livni also said that Israel is a full partner to the process that will lead to a Palestinian state, but that Palestinian economic growth must be accompanied by an increased crackdown on militant groups. "A developed Palestinian economy is a significant interest of Israel's, just as the war on terror must be a significant interest of the Palestinian Authority's," Livni told reporters after the meeting. Livni will meet on Monday privately with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. PM backs boosting PA economy, but not at expense of security Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel supports efforts to revitalize the Palestinian economy - but not at the expense of its own security. Olmert was speaking the day before an international donor conference in Paris, meant to garner billions in aid to help bolster the Palestinian economy. The World Bank and others have said Israel must remove restrictions on Palestinian movement for the economy to improve, but Israel sees its network of hundreds of roadblocks and barriers as a key weapon in its battle against militants - and doesn't trust Palestinian security forces to prevent attacks on Israelis. "We really support the strengthening of the Palestinian Authority and the international mobilization to bring about an improvement in the quality of life of Palestinian residents, and in particular, in the improvement of their independent economic infrastructure, so it will not be dependent on Israel," Olmert told his Cabinet on Sunday. "But for Israel, the central issue... is the Palestinian Authority's ability to deal as it should with the subject of security, to eradicate the terror organizations, and ensure there will not be terror against Israel," Olmert said. PA expecting 'full support' during Paris conference The Palestinian Authority is expecting full support for its ambitious appeal for $5.6 billion in aid, the Palestinian planning minister said Sunday. "I think that all signs coming from here and there tell us that we will get full support," Samir Abdullah told The Associated Press ahead of Monday's conference. He predicted generous pledges from Arab states. The United States said on Sunday it would pledge close to $800 million in aid to the Palestinians. U.S. State Department announced the pledge as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to Paris for the conference. The British and German governments have already announced a combined $780 million in aid for the Palestinian economy over the next three years. Other pledges have been flowing in for days from around the world, though the French conference hosts are not announcing the sums before Monday. Representatives of 90 countries and international organizations are coming to the conference. Donors are expected to be generous amid a new U.S.-led push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal by the end of next year. Talks last month in Annapolis, Maryland, renewed the peace effort after seven years of diplomatic deadlock and bloodshed. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he would link an aid package of $500 million to improved security in the region, progress in peace talks and an easing of Israeli restrictions. Germany, too, urged the removal of Israeli roadblocks. The German Development Ministry said Sunday the government will give $289 million in funding through 2010 to help the peace process and the Palestinian authority's reform and development projects. However, the development plan can only become effective "if the peace process really moves forward, if the economic development of Palestine is no longer obstructed by barriers, if expansion of settlements is stopped by Israel and the internal Palestinian split is overcome," Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said. The Palestinian planning minister also predicted full Arab support. "The Arab states are coming in full representation," Abdullah said, noting that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal would attend along with other Arab ministers. "They will have a meeting to coordinate their efforts, and they are determined to support us as they supported us in Annapolis. This time the support will be in high pledges to Palestine," Abdullah said. He said the chair of the conference, France, and co-chairs Tony Blair, Norway and the European Commission, will be asked to follow up and make sure that the pledges are actually paid. Of the $5.6 billion, some 70 percent would initially go toward helping the government narrow a huge budget deficit, but as the Palestinian economy recovers, spending would shift toward development. Mohammed Shteia, director of the Palestinian Authority's Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR), said on Sunday that the ongoing closure of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip will prevent the coastal territory from benefiting from the development plan the Palestinians will submit at Monday's conference. Related articles: World Bank: PA economy can't pick up when mobility is limited Livni to try to prevent Quartet condemnation of East Jerusalem construction U.S. to pledge $500 million toward helping rehabilitate PA Blair urges int'l donors to back PA's $5.6 billion economic plan Bookmark to del.icio.us No rights The gov't won't grant rights to Palestinians west of fence, according to a report. Right to a child The Welfare Min. is launching a policy that would allow single-sex families to adopt.   1.   PA eradicate terror?? 15:22  |  Brod 16/12/07   2.   Israel wiull submit as always,look at Olmert`s allowing Haj thru 15:24  |  Absolute Sweden 16/12/07   3.   another curates egg only good in parts 16:07  |  v ictor hardman 16/12/07   4.   Poverty and Violence: No relationship 16:54  |  Scientist 16/12/07   5.   paris donor should send the funds DIRECTLY to Switzerland 17:03  |  bob 16/12/07   6.   1# Brod, Olmert has selective hearing 17:20  |  Nora 16/12/07   7.   Don`t give money to Palis! 17:28  |  Moishe Kadish 16/12/07   8.   Boosting PA economy 17:48  |  Frank 16/12/07   9.   Paris funds meeting 18:12  |  Salameh 16/12/07   10.   Boosting PA terror not economy 18:18  |  bf 16/12/07   11.   Is the USA going to stop funding "Israeli Terrorism" as described 18:39  |  POP 16/12/07   12.   The Palestinians need tough love not money! 20:00  |  Avi 16/12/07   13.   Is the USA gonna keep POOP in his hospital withthe rubber walls? 20:13  |  Bennie 16/12/07   14.   I have just heard a proposal that should be discussed: It 20:18  |  Daniel 16/12/07   15.   Not worth commenting on! 20:37  |  lakshmi 16/12/07   16.   This time its for real. No Swiss Bank accounts. 20:43  |  Stephen. 16/12/07   17.   POP...US Congress and not Bush votes on funding 21:01  |  Lynn 16/12/07   18.   Aid to the terrroists at the expense of Jewish lives. 21:15  |  Baruch Hashem 16/12/07   19.   AID OPPONENTS 22:39  |  Mark of Lewiston 16/12/07   20.   pals have nothing to offer or say.haven`t eve kept up 1 agreement 22:41  |  ralph 16/12/07   21.   we must build and build all within our land it is ours not theirs 22:42  |  ralph 16/12/07   22.   arab govn`ts must creat economic joint zones and accept product f 22:43  |  ralph 16/12/07   23.   as sign by arab countries fund joint econmic zones buy products 22:47  |  ralph 16/12/07   24.   Greedy Zionists will continue to build... 23:04  |  kiwi girl 16/12/07   25.   Too bad Abbas doesn`t have the guts to do something about it 00:43  |  peacelover 17/12/07   26.   Har Homa actually in `occupied Bethleham` 15:37  |  International Law 17/12/07

Today Online Ron Breiman: Greater Israel - Not Peace Now but Zionism Now Responses: 60 Moshe Arens: The IDF must move into Gaza to curb Qassams Responses: 35 'Hava Nagila' enters race for Christmas No. 1 in Britain Responses: 24 FM Livni: Israel is committed to creating Palestinian state Responses: 51 Israeli study - one of year's 50 top scientific breakthroughs Responses: 44 Rosner's Domain Without the Reform movement in Israel, there's no Reform movement Guest: Americans say there's no need nor point in creating Palestinian state So, Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? Fewer Israelis say peace personally important (What to Read) More Headlines 15:26 Barak pledges to spend NIS 320 million on reinforcing south 15:42 Livni at donor's conference: Israel committed to creating Palestinian state 15:32 'Hava Nagila' enters race for Christmas No. 1 in Britain 15:26 Galilee militant gets life term for kidnap-murder of IDF soldier 11:31 U.S. weighs plan to help Egypt block arms smuggling to Gaza 13:24 Russia sends first shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran power plant 13:03 IDF soldier arrested for dealing drugs to hundreds of Haifa teens 13:29 Hamas: Advanced defense plan ready for when IDF enters Gaza 14:34 Human Rights Watch urges U.S., EU to condition Jordan funding 15:22 Report: Jihad site claims Shalit appeared hurt during kidnap Previous Editions Select Day 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved