Arab Israeli MK: Netanyahu will avoid peace unless world steps in
In Los Angeles Times op-ed, Ahmed Tibi says PM may repeat his personal history of finding loopholes instead of seeing the Palestinians as equals.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Middle East peace Ahmed Tibi Benjamin NetanyahuThe United States and the international community must pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if peace between Israel and the Palestinians is to be finally achieved, Arab Israeli MK Ahmed Tibi said in a Los Angeles Times editorial over the weekend, adding that, left to his own devices, Netanyahu would only continue his history of evading an honest peace deal.
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Israeli Arab MK Ahmed Tibi |
| Photo by: Olivier Pitussi |
The L.A. Times op-ed was published in the wake of last week's peace summit in Washington, in which Israel and the Palestinians relaunched direct peace talks in an attempt to reach a final status peace deal within 12 months.
However, despite reports of optimism in both camps over the possibility of a peace agreement, Tibi wrote that Netanyahu would only use direct talks to avoid achieving a deal with the Palestinian Authority, as he has done in the past.
"It is unfortunate that the direct Palestinian-Israeli peace talks that got underway this week are saddled with an Israeli prime minister who has made clear his unwillingness to reach an equitable two-state solution," Tibi wrote, saying such a move would be "consistent with Netanyahu's actions when he was last prime minister during the late 1990s."
"The prime minister did not enter negotiations then, nor does he enter them now, in good faith. If he can derail the talks, he will," the Israeli-Arab MK and Knesset deputy Speaker wrote, adding that he was "not alone in being pessimistic."
"Most Palestinians are. Young people in particular have been betrayed. A whole generation of Palestinians has grown up watching as talks failed. They have seen deepening colonization rather than freedom," Tibi said.
For talks to actually succeed, the United Arab List-Ta’al chairman said, "the international community, and the U.S. most particularly, will have to press Netanyahu."
U.S. President Barack Obama, for one, would have to, according to Tibi, challenge the prime minister on settlements.
"To succeed this time, the international community, and the U.S. most particularly, will have to press Netanyahu," Tibi said, adding that "whether in the United States, Israel or the occupied territories, equal rights before the law is a powerful and crucial concept. And it is one that should be at the forefront of the next round of talks."
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What is more so, are his comments. I have held these very views myself for sometime (and yes I am irrelevant too). However, many observers (who are relevant), from both neutral, and those with an interest in the process hold very similar views. Obama is attempting to ensure that these talks stay on track and without the routine "interruptions". However, he has made numerous mis-calculations. Mubarak and King Abdullah have interests in these talks, but they are virtually irrelevant players. This was planned by Netanyahu himself. Remember the surprise visits to Egypt and Jordan? Anyway, If you invite those two, Assad should be there, and perhaps even a representative of Iran and Hamas. It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but if you are serious and genuine about true peace, these are players that also need to involved. As Ahmed Tibi says, Netanyahu does not enter these talks in good faith, and unless the world powers apply pressure to the US and Israel, Netanyahu will fool everyone, yet again, and the biggest fool will turn out to be Obama...
Wasn't it Ahmad Tibi who served as adviser to Yasser Arafat during the bloodiest years of Arafat's war of terror against Israeli civilians?
brother why are you so negative.Does not the very word 'islam' mean peace. What is the point in calling ourself muslim if we do not strive to establish peace and start questioning other parties intentions. I dont see any difference between jews and muslims, as there is so much in common between us and we worship the same Lord
brother why are you so negative.Does not the very word 'islam' mean peace. What is the point in calling ourself muslim if we do not strive to establish peace and start questioning other parties intentions. I dont see any difference between jews and muslims, as there is so much in common between us and we worship the same Lord
Mr Ahmed Tibi, you try very much to appear innocent in your statement as if you are the truthful one but, what every man with insight into reality sees through your comment is the weakness of your position to destroy every Jew and make the Israel land your mosque. If one looks at his face and equates it with his comments, after analyzing it, you will find him looking like a capture Osama Bin Laden-not remorseful, but mad for the limited chance of terrorism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an honest man who has sacrificed his name for the peace and security of his country and continues to do so. Your anger is that you see him as your obstacle towards annihilating the Zion children But you miss one thing: there are a trillion Benjamin Netanyahus in Israel and for Israel.
Why does LA publish this clown?
"For talks to actually succeed, the United Arab List-Ta’al chairman said, "the international community, and the U.S. most particularly, will have to press Netanyahu." For self-evident reasons it is understood that shall be the case.
Mr Ahmed Tibi, you try very much to appear innocent in your statement as if you are the truthful one but, what every man with insight into reality sees through your comment is the weakness of your position to destroy every Jew and make the Israel land your mosque. If one looks at his face and equates it with his comments, after analyzing it, you will find him looking like a capture Osama Bin Laden-not remorseful, but mad for the limited chance of terrorism. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is an honest man who has sacrificed his name for the peace and security of his country and continues to do so. Your anger is that you see him as your obstacle towards annihilating the Zion children But you miss one thing: there are a trillion Benjamin Netanyahus in Israel and for Israel.
Not only is Ahmed Tibi over the hill but his negative views on peace are unrelated to the matter being considered. He is irrelevent .
Ahmed TibIi says that Israel should see the Palestinians as equals, so why do the Palestinians not reconise Israel as a Jewish State, and why do they call for destruction of the Democratic State Of Israel..Tibli want's his cake and eat it.....not going to work
How is it equal if it's a Jewish state then?!!
American Jews all agree that to name the US a Christian nation would make them second class citizens. Why should Israeli Palestinians Israel disagree with them; why doesn't Israel being a Jewish state make THEM not equal?
is that the same guy Tibi who was kicked out of the Knesset. Obviously he was working for his own people - the arabs - . Something stinks about this man..... what is it? and I'm not talking about a rotten fish. No, no! it is something much worse than that!