Netanyahu cancels final inner cabinet meeting before direct talks begin
Yitzhak Molcho, aide to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's chief negotiator, is due to depart for the United States to discuss opening remarks at trilateral peace summit.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Middle East peace Benjamin NetanyahuPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday canceled a scheduled meeting of the most senior cabinet ministers, meant to be the last such meeting before Netanyahu heads for Washington for the resumption of U.S-mediated peace talks with the Palestinians.
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PM Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office on Sunday May 23, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
The meeting between of Netanyahu's inner cabinet, known as the 'Forum of Seven,' was scheduled to take place at 9:30 A.M., and was reportedly called off by the PM early Monday morning. The reason for the cancellation is unknown.
Netanyahu aide and Israel's chief negotiator Yitzhak Molcho was due to depart for the United States later Monday in order to hold preparatory talks ahead of Wednesday's trilateral summit between U.S. President Barack Obama, Netanyahu, and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
Molcho is scheduled to meet U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell in order to coordinate the summit's closing remarks, as well as discuss the planned speeches by Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the Palestinian president at the opening ceremony.
On Sunday, Netanyahu reportedly told Likud ministers that he had not made any promises to president Obama or any other American government official regarding an extension of the settlement construction freeze in the West Bank.
"We made no proposals to the Americans on extending the freeze," Netanyahu said. "We said that the future of the communities will be discussed as one of the elements of a final-status settlement, along with the other issues. We promised nothing on this issue to the Americans."
Netanyahu sharply criticized the Palestinian demand for extending Israel's 10-month construction freeze, which expires September 26.
"They are building an entire city with our encouragement and then they are fighting with us over every house in Judea and Samaria," said Netanyahu. "The hiatus of construction prior to the cabinet resolution [approving the freeze] lasted 10 months, during which we called them for talks. Now, three weeks before the end of that time, they come to the talks and say that we must continue the building freeze. This raises questions about the seriousness of the Palestinians to enter talks in good faith. They are building an entire city and they fight with us over every home."
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1) Abbass doesn't have the support of his people. 2) Netanyahu doesn't have the support of his government. This thing is set to compete with even Clinton last minute kick at the can ... "Oh yeah, that Israel.Palestinian thing, gotta get that done for my legacy check list ... for "Most Absurd" status.
International law defines all settlements as illegal, morality defines them as grotesque land grabs, humanitarian ideals a crime. Pray tell us again who is Netanyahu fooling this time. In fact, if the Palestinian Authority even discuss the settlements they would be partners in illegality and should resign their mandate to make a just peace. From the US nothing is expected except the usual active interference of a biased referee who does the will of the Israelis. The world knows that The US policy for the Middle East is planned in Tel Aviv.
Not going anywhere near any "tattlement" about a SETTLEMENT: there is no need 2 tattle about any.
ALL DONE: no need for an "inner meeting". After A PERIOD: no freeze in any Settlement Building Plan
Why Netanyahu keeps lying? Ten month freeze can only mean two things: 1- By the end of ten months we will have negotiated a peace and we will start building again? or 2- we will not have negotiated peace and we will start building again? What is the difference between these two positions? NONE. These are the no-preconditions: What is there to negotiate? Netayahu has said very clearly that: -The problem will not be solved in Israel; - There are no concessions on: -Settlements will continue, -houses demolishing will continue, -no right of return, -no compensation, -Palestine is Jordan, -The Palestinian state will not exist, -Israel is a jewish country. etc. What is there to negotiate? Mass transportation to Amman?
After 40-plus years of Israeli occupation, they're finally ALLOWED to build something in their own territory - and Netanyahu feels this somehow "entitles" Israel to settlement expansions. How completely juvenile! I certainly hope that he uses that argument during the talks...LOL...it's sure to raise a few eyebrows and drop a few jaws.
.... a "protected person" under int'l law. He has't quite come to grips with the idea that under int'l law it is the person who is subject to a belligerent occupation who is the "protected person", not the occupying power......