U.S. 'encouraged' by Arab support for direct Israeli-Palestinian talks

Abbas has set preconditions that can not be met so he can claim it is Israel's fault that talks are not going on. Non-of his preconditions existed for previous talks or negotiations - what does he expect now? Obama to guarantee the outcome before the talks begin? Then why hold talks?

The Arab league agreed with conditions (all including palestinians authority and Hamasa) and it is up to Abbas to decide the time once the conditions are satisfied.

Netanyahu, please raise your game by a facor of 10 at least, exhausted though you must be. If Abu Mazen is willing to come to the table in front of the world (pushed perhaps by the Arab League, it doesn't matter) this opportunity has to be seized tomorrow, if not today. Israel has to go in, with all the strength that it can muster, and pick up the ball. It also has to be seen to be doing so by the whole world. Not only for the sake of Israel itself, but for Jews everywhere, whether religious, traditional, secular - whatever - and for the other nationalities in the region. The historical realities have to be suspended for the next short while, and the future looks grim if Hamas and provisional Hamas are not aboard - but that is a problem for other generations. Forget for the next few days that before 1967, the liberal press in its love of victims was on the whole rather pro-Israel - we never heard of Jordan's occupation of most of Jerusalem, we never heard of Egypt's neglect of Gaza over 19 years. ( In a just world we could put the cartographers on trial for their careless, thoughtless carve-up of the Ottoman and British Empires just less than 100 years ago - doubtless they were exhausted too - and they're all dead anyway.) Seize this moment with good faith and energy, and please bring close to you the conscience-stricken liberal press, like the wonderful Gideon Levy, who are giving aid and comfort to Israel's declared enemies. Have a huge conference and make manifest once and for all that Israel wants reasonable peace, that Israel has the same right to exist, flowing from the postcolonial settlement, as every other state or kingdom in the region. We are all sceptical, with very good reason. But this is the time to reach out to the enemy and let the world see what he is made of - he may surprise us, and may be shamed for once to recognise that Gaza is a problem to be solved for everyone in the area. Offer to help - and be seen to do so - Abu Mazen is exhausted too. You have nothing to lose, but if you gain a realistic peace, you have everything to win. Today you can write a future script for the whole Jewish people that we can live with, but please do it out loud, with a whole heart and courage. If Abu Mazen backs off, does not grasp this chance, even Gideon Levy and Tikkun Olam et al will have to go back to the drawing board - or take up knitting. Just do it. (Oh, and I have a bet on this. And watch your back.)

Abbas knows that he will not get a fair deal from Israel. He also knows that America will continue to favor Israel, not because America loves Israel, but because Israel has them by the short hairs. In the end, nothing will be accomplished. Israel and America cannot force Abbas to accept their deal. In any case, Abbas has no official position and cannot speak for the Palestinian people on a matter of such importance. Of all the peace talks there have been, this one is the biggest joke. Everyone can see that there are gaping holes in the process and the procedures, but act as if it is all kosher. It is not kosher.

This is a much to do about nothing. So what did you expect the Arab league to say? And why did Abbas go to Arab league. The next question is would Abbas now enter direct talks or not? And more importantly is even if direct talks commence tomorrow> What are we to expect? I am saying all these dances around the bush are meaningless and promise nothing in return. Dances are simply dances but progress is something else, not to be gotten on the dance floor.

Is Abbas' continued resistance to direct talks a ploy? He really cannot negotiate for the Palestinian people, anyway. He does not really have control over even Fatah and has no influence at all with Hamas. That is one reason to balk. The other might be a hope that the issue will cause the Netanyahu government to fall. But who does he want to replace him? I, for one, am sick and tired of everyone from the Arab League to the posters here just "knowing" what Netanyahu thinks and will do. Look at history and those who have achieved most on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict! And as for a so-called settlement freeze, shall the government halt the much greater number of permits for Arab building in the West Bank - just in case the decision on borders affects them?

So, do the pre-'67 borders include all of Jerusalem? Because before '67, that's what Israel controlled, a small piece of Jerusalem, none of the old city, and none of the holy Jewish or Christian sites. And, despite a and agreement with Jordan, there was very limited access to the Christian holy sites, and none at all to the holy Jewish sites.

Barak, said that "only direct negotiations can bring a peace agreement and a solution of two states for two peoples."

The prime minister declared that he would be willing to enter into "direct and honest peace talks" within days, adding that "by way of direct negotiations, a speedy peace agreement can be achieved."

I would rather have a direct talk with the devil before I talk to Israel. Lies, lies and more lies - the usual.

We are all wasting time if we fail to deal head-on with the elementary issues. There is no solution to this conflict which does not include Israel's removel of at least some settlements in the West Bank. What sense then does it make for Israel to build MORE settlements, which presumably are to be closed as part of an agreement? The only explanation is that Israel has no intention of moving towards peace. But these countries which are so busy pushing Abbas to talk ought to be pressuring Israel to maintain the building freeze, which is a minimum requirement for talks to make sense. Additionally these countries tacitly accept Israel's breach of international law once they do not INSIST on that country's abiding by it. Imagine what sanctions would befall almost any other country which chose to defy international law, Geneva treaty, and world opinion.

As long as settelements continue, there should be no negotiations ...

Can anyone here see Psalm 83 and Isiah 17 unfolding? The peace talk's fail. There will be war. Then Isreal will capture more land because it has been foretold. May our Father Protect and Bless Isreal!!

This conflict has gone long enough - if there is no peace in the middle east in the next 30 years - then something bad will happen to all the peoples in the region, whether its nuclear war (and fall out) - or something - the status quo cannot continue - the US can no longer afford to support Israel and generations of people who supported Israel and created the status quo are dead or dying - (Arafat, Ariel Sharon, Peres, WASPS in the US, etc) demographics in America and the region are rapidly changing - this conflict is a relic of another time by another people - a solution is coming - a

Israeli right wing politicians will sabotage the talks and then issue statements about how the Palestinians "don't want peace". Then as the Palestinians are scratching their heads, wondering what went wrong, Netanyahu will issue a statement that Abbas has links to Al Qaeda. Then, of course, the U.S. will have to bomb Gaza. Oliver Stone, you anti-Semitic dog, are you taking notes?

I have brought up these identical ideas with no response. Except that the anti-Israel writers apparently disagree with us. About 1,436 Palestinians have been murdered...by other Palestinians...the BBC sponsors the Dohan Debates a monthly forum, that is where my numbers came from. About a month or two ago the BBC had Hamas and Fatah on this program. Despite both admitting that these lives were wasted, they couldn't seem to agree on how to work together. So your point is an important one. BTW you can see this debate with Google. Just type in BBC Dohan debates and find the Hamas and Fatah debate. It's an eye opener. To see the real agenda of the Arabs peace lovers in Israel.

barkat will be what we're gonna see the coming days. thats what they always do when there is any sign of peace at the horizon......bet?

The Israelis have long took advantage of Arabs' intransigence. Now finally the Arabs are learning to exercise some pragmatism.

This is a victory for Obama diplomacy. Now let's see all the Obama bashers refuse to give Obama credit.

And you'll see how the "Right" will move to the far "Left" and will beg for negotiation.

There are another set of Pre-Conditions to negotiations which have not been posed by the Arab League. They have not been stated by Israel or the Palestinians. They are recommended as logical. 1. The Arab League has no intention of honouring any commitments to peace with Israel if and when peace is negotiated and finalized with the Palestinians. What would Israel do in wake of this not happening??? Recapture Gaza and the West Bank?? 2. There must be a universal referendum amongst all Palestinians as to WHO is in control of the peace process. Hamas or Abbas?? 3. What is the point of negotiating with Abbas when he does not speak for Hamas?? Is there to be two peace treaties or is this a planned strategy from day one?? Hamas will always be able to disrupt any peace between Israel. 4. Is there a peace treaty to be made with the West Bank only??? 5. The Palestinians under Abbas must DISARM just like the Japanese did at the end of WW2. 6. The Palestinians must force Hamas to join their working groups to make peace with Israel.

but israeli needs to stop stealing land that is being fought over

In other words, give me everything that I want upfront, and then we can negotiate.

The Arab league can not and does not have the right to speak for the Palestinian people. The Palestinian authority is the one who will decide if and when to hold direct talks. The Palestinian people should set conditions that Israel must first meet in order to start the direct talks. Until Israel complies with the Palestinian demands, the Palestinian authority should refuse to hold any type of talks, direct or indirect.

Never would so many people have to eat their hats.

Just another ultimatum, Saudi Plan style.

The Arab League has made a solid choice by endorsing the talks. I hope their efforts are rewarded with an agreement Israel and the Palestinians can live with. There will be stumbling blocks galore but none of us is naive enough to believe the path will be short or strewn with rose petals.

After the 1973 war, Sadat realized the futility of war and made peace, SO THE ARABS MURDERED HIM. Sadat actually won in the peace process as he refused to take Gaza back which Egypt annexed in 1948. If Arafat had accepted the Camp David offer for 93% of what he wanted, THERE WOULD BE PEACE He was offered 93% when the terms are usually dictated by the winner Gaza intact (100%) was returned to the Arabs. If the Arabs had accepted that and not lobbed missiles at Israeli civilians, THERE WOULD BE PEACE AND NO BLOCKADE. In the Camp David discussions, Arafat was offered joint control of Jerusalem, ARAFAT REFUSED. If he had accepted Camp David, THERE WOULD BE PEACE. It is worth noting that 1947 UN Resolution did NOT give Jerusalem to either side and was to be an international city open to everyone. Jordan annexed the Old City and expelled the Jewish Residents, took their property and did not allow Jews to Worship their. TODAY THE ARABS EVEN OBJECT TO ISRAELI CONSTRUCTION IN THE JEWISH QUARTER. Another generation has come and gone and the Arabs suffer because their leadership refuses to sit down and work out a reasonable peace deal. In fact, one of the problems is the PA can not even work out terms for Gaza as it is not under their control. But do not worry about their leadership. They eat grade “A” steaks and have plenty of money in the bank. Arafat died with 1 Billion in the bank and his family living in a luxury apartment in Paris.

that's all this is to the palestinians...a hudna of sorts...time to gain strength, until the next round of fighting...they dont want just gaza and west bank..they never did...they want the whole pizza my friend...and sadly, they will never get it. They will have their piece of the pie if they behave properly. Israel has offered true peace many times in return for full recognition of the land of israel. if the arab league wants peace for its "brothers" (who they have treated beautifully for 60 yrs, lol) then they will have to recognize israel as a jewish state, legal, sovereign, and renounce any future claims to anything but the agreed to treaty. It is quite simple. I am betting the arabs will never sign on to something that forever eliminates their quest for all of israel. again, 1964, PLO founded...3 years PRIOR to their being any settlements....so tell me all you wizards, what were they trying to 'liberate' in 1964? :-)

Some form of a building freeze in the West Bank is absolutely elementary. You can't negotiate the division of a pizza when one side keeps eating it. This basic truth was understood even by Dumbya Bush, which is why it was put in phase 1 of his Roadmap, and why Sharon committed to it. (Both were businessmen.) If Netanyahu cannot get his coalition colleagues to accept this easy step, then his government will never accept the really painful steps that go with a real peace agreement. Netanyahu is wasting everybody's time when presenting his government as going for peace. It will never happen with this coalition. Netanyahu can get a majority for peace, in a coalition between Likud, Kadima, Labor (68 MKs), supported from the outside by 14 more of Meretz and the Arabs. Even the Haredim (16 MKs) will agree to peace if a good part of Jerusalem will be kept. (They are not interested in the West Bank.) Netanyahu is stuck in his coalition because of some political fears of Lieberman. The man is a political coward, the like of whom never before appeared on the Israeli scene.

I just cannot understand this supposed "peace-seeking" attitude of the leaders of the Arab League. To me it is the most despicable betrayal of the just cause of the Palestinians. It is also a most humiliating cowardice on the part of the Arab League heavywieghts. Maybe they fear the current uncertainty in Egypt, but then what had they been doing before the period of uncertainty developed? Waiting for O'Bomber's candies? What a bunch of hopeless puppets if not dangerous traitors.!

keep building in my country and expect us to resist (any means possible)

An earlier article about the potential collapse of the Israeli government should the settlement freeze be extented, really sums it up. A commenter a few days ago was of the view that there was collusion between the Israeli cabinet about the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the PM's assertion that a mere settlement freeze will cause the collapse of the Israeli government is somewhat testimony to the commenter's point. It is depressing, but people have to realize that there will not be a fair and just solution to this issue of two states, unless something unique were to happen in the US... where everything is run. Public opinion > Representatives > Change in Foreign Policy... lobbies won't matter as much at that point.

israel will have no choice but to give up on the west bank or give them rights

It's a resonable position and not far from Abbas. Nobody really thinks Bibi is serious about peace, but if there's a structure to the talks that forces him to be serious, then why not talk?

abass is way smarter and better prepared then arafat also has much more support

"I assure you I am not of the intention to enter into negotiations, without a time frame, without clear references and without monitoring," Arab League chief Amr Moussa said at a press conference in Cairo.

Only fair solution now is one Country with two States, Palestine Israel. With freedom and equal rights for all. Integration of its public schools. One person, one vote. A constitution and bill of rights. Separation of powers, separation of church and state, and rule of law. True liberal democracy.

Jassim added that he was "full of doubts" about Israel's seriousness regarding final status negotiations. let us wait and see as usual.

Not for Abbas of course.

sorry, no conditions.

Until Netanyahu puts proposals on the table, there is little potential success from direct talks. Netanyahu can either start where Livni left off or put his own proposals on the tablenow. Anything less is doomed to failure. There must be evidence to counteract Netanyahu's pandering statements to settler groups.