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Last update - 10:12 31/03/2008
Livni's perseverance
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: Israel

MK Limor Livnat's attack on Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni during a radio broadcast yesterday, and her demand that Livni should "remove the veil of secrecy" behind which she is busy dividing Jerusalem - according to Livnat - is neither realistic nor just. It is important that the talks Livni is conducting with the chairman of the Palestinian negotiating team, Ahmed Qureia, remain confidential, and that they continue without hindrance, for the good of both sides.

Livnat denounced Livni's actions because she felt, and rightly so, that the foreign minister was creating understandings - via a slow, stubborn and patient process - on which it will be possible to build a realistic and enduring final-status arrangement.

Livnat was apparently even more concerned about Livni's cautious remark with regard to evacuation-compensation for settlers. It is true that the foreign minister said it is still too early to speak about details of such agreements, and that it is necessary first to determine the border vis-a-vis the Palestinians, as she put it. But at the same time, Livni stated that, "it is necessary to deal with this law soon," particularly in view of the difficult experience of the disengagement process in the Gaza Strip.
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The foreign minister also stressed that the talks are taking place on the basis of the understanding that the Palestinians are committed to Israel's security, and Israel is committed to the Palestinians' quality of life.

It appears that the negotiations, which are moving forward at snail's pace, are interrupted on occasion, and become destabilized every time one of the sides violates the fragile understandings that were already agreed upon. But the talks are succeeding, despite all the difficulties, in preserving the status of the Palestinian Authority in the eyes of the public in the territories.

Livni remains steadfast in her belief that this status, which appears to be shaky, must continue to be strengthened to prevent Hamas from gaining control of the Palestinian political arena. This is an important achievement, even if it is threatened incessantly, and it refutes the claim that "there is no one to talk to" and enables the government to continue its dialogue with those who are legitimate representatives - in its eyes and those of the world - of the Palestinian people. In addition, the talks make it possible to dismantle at least some of the small stones in the fortified walls of opposition in Israeli public opinion.

The foreign minister is leading the talks in a serious and responsible fashion, and with perseverance, but her major accomplishment, no matter how minor and limited it may seem, is in changing the basic concepts which the right wing in Israel has stood for since 1977. The minister, who grew up in the conservative quarters of the hawkish right, does not hesitate to speak forthrightly about the way both sides will determine the borders, nor about the fact that "the government must help those who are interested in leaving their places of residence, in accordance with the government's order of priorities."

Livni's calm determination is especially conspicuous when compared with the rather frenzied positions taken by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Out of the blue, Barak came up with the dramatic, albeit nebulous declaration that an agreement with Syria is at the top of Israel's list of priorities - but said at the same time that "more than one side is needed" for an agreement. In parallel, he is encouraging the military activity that is undermining the chances for such an accord.

The U.S. administration views the policy adopted by Barak - who also met a few times with the settlers and according to them, gave them promises that are not in accordance with the spirit of the negotiations with the Palestinians - as a stumbling block.

Livni has to cope with more than enough obstacles from the right and does not need additional interference from members of the government. She should be allowed to get on with the job and should be supported in her efforts.
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  1.   The Land of Israel is ours by Historical and Moral right. 11:00  |  Jean Van Daem 31/03/08
  2.   I wonder if Barak likes it 11:04  |  Natallie Durson 31/03/08
  3.   get ready for oslo no2 and disaster 11:25  |  v hardman 31/03/08
  4.   What has to be secretive? 11:26  |  Palestinian Prince 31/03/08
  5.   Plus who is Israel kidding? 11:27  |  Palestinian PRince 31/03/08
  6.   Another surprize a la jerk Rabin`s one to be sprung on Israelis 11:45  |  Absolute Sweden 31/03/08
  7.   why ? you afraid of The Religious Power :) 11:48  |  Atilla Karagözoğlu 31/03/08
  8.   I SUPPORT RIGHTIST ISRAELI GOVERMENT for quick end 12:11  |  Atilla Karagözoğlu 31/03/08
  9.   The Secrecy Merely Keeps Abbas & Kadima in Power 12:30  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 31/03/08
  10.   Secret talks, meaningless 13:03  |  Gilad 31/03/08
  11.   Confidentiality needed to prevent BUSYBODIES 13:12  |  The Archives 31/03/08
  12.   Wow!!! Left wing against transparency & will of people!!!! 13:18  |  Benji 31/03/08
  13.   # 1, What if I said, I am of the Tribe of Dan, not a Jew. 13:38  |  Would you share? 31/03/08
  14.   EHUD BARAK IS THE KEY HERE 13:50  |  indrajaya 31/03/08
  15.   "Palestine without Jerusalem is useless."? 13:52  |  Why? 31/03/08
  16.   Dividing Jerusalem, confusion reigns. 13:54  |  Stephen. 31/03/08
  17.   Secret? Only if they are dealing against their own conscience. 13:54  |  LIGHTS ON!!! 31/03/08
  18.   Peace talks should be transparent! 14:42  |  Dutch Dirk 31/03/08
  19.   left wing? 15:39  |  A.M. 31/03/08
  20.   The Shalom of Politicians 15:55  |  Machirarchy Itis 31/03/08
  21.   Israeli Rejectionist Camp is a threat 16:52  |  Ibrahim 31/03/08
  22.   What the article saying the people of Israel 17:06  |  Akram Zekaria 31/03/08
  23.   Indrajaya is the IDIOT here 17:35  |  Joe Moer 31/03/08
  24.   Haaretz - Typical Anti-Democratic Leftism 17:53  |  Tod Zuckerman 31/03/08
  25.   Peace Talks `in Secret`...means One thing 18:08  |  Dolly 31/03/08
  26.   Haaretz Editorial 18:15  |  Ralph 31/03/08
  27.   To PALESTINIAN PRINCE # 4 - WHY a PALESTINE.....? 18:35  |  Natasha 31/03/08
  28.   # 23, JOE MOER 18:55  |  indrajaya 31/03/08
  29.   The peace talks are a sham, a scam and a nonsense 20:15  |  Ronny 31/03/08
  30.   Livni,Olmert and secrets 20:17  |  Connie 31/03/08
  31.   21 Ibrahim - Exactly (qualified) 20:25  |  Mark of Lewiston 31/03/08
  32.   I wonder what MK Livnat would have said about Begin`s deal 20:47  |  Dutch 31/03/08
  33.   "Peace" with whom and for how long? 20:47  |  Scharker Yid 31/03/08
  34.   peace talks must be secret 21:15  |  elliot 31/03/08
  35.   Hi Mark, one point to consider. 21:19  |  Ibrahim 31/03/08
  36.   An agreement by politicians will mean nothing 21:33  |  Chris Linthwaite 31/03/08
  37.   PEACE TALKS in secret........? 21:58  |  Dagma 31/03/08
  38.   74% of Israeli Jews to transfer Israeli Arabs to future Palestine 21:58  |  Haldrik 31/03/08
  39.   Ibrahim 22:25  |  Danite 31/03/08
  40.   My poor Jean #1 22:50  |  Otto Rand 31/03/08
  41.   Chris #36 23:07  |  Otto Rand 31/03/08
  42.   Livni doesnt have the right to secetly sell Jerusalem 23:40  |  zionist forever 31/03/08
  43.   4 23:50  |  zionist forever 31/03/08
  44.   its just corupt politicians using Jerusalem for personal gain 00:29  |  zionist forever 01/04/08
  45.   The cowards want silence while they surrender israel to its enemy 01:13  |  non-secular israeli 01/04/08
  46.   "viable state" 01:23  |  Scharker Yid 01/04/08
  47.   Piece vs. peace 01:23  |  Right on 01/04/08
  48.   Otto - meet reality 01:46  |  Ilya 01/04/08
  49.   The Totalitarian Left advocates secret talks 01:54  |  Sarita 01/04/08
  50.   I agree, and disagree 02:39  |  Mark Lincoln 01/04/08
  51.   A Liberal Newspaper Advocates Govt. Secrecy 03:00  |  Gary S. 01/04/08
  52.   #45 You just don`t get it, do you, n-s i?? 03:13  |  Johnboy 01/04/08
  53.   76% Israeli Jews to transfer Israeli Arabs out of Israel 03:22  |  Haldrik 01/04/08
  54.   PEACE WITH TERRORISTS HAS NEVER WORKED AND WONT WORK NOW 03:46  |  PalestniansAreA Myth 01/04/08
  55.   Under no circumstances must we allow secret negotiations. 03:47  |  Chaim 01/04/08
  56.   Keep Jerusalem get rid of Olmert 04:11  |  Robinson 01/04/08
  57.   to Chris Linthwaite #36 04:33  |  zeev 01/04/08
  58.   To Scharker Yid 04:49  |  Otto Rand 01/04/08
  59.   To Ilya 05:03  |  Otto Rand 01/04/08
  60.   To Haldrik 05:10  |  Otto Rand 01/04/08
  61.   To Haldrik 05:10  |  Otto Rand 01/04/08
  62.   To Zionist Forever #43 05:23  |  Otto Rand 01/04/08
  63.   Reasonable Israelis wouldnt agree with Haaretz agenda 09:20  |  *smirk* 01/04/08
  64.   No problem with secret negotiations 10:28  |  Zev 01/04/08
  65.   to *smirk* #63 - so dumb 13:12  |  zeev 01/04/08
  66.   #1, Pals ain`t leaving their homeland 07:46  |  newageblues 03/04/08
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