Egypt: Settlement freeze first step to normal Israel-Arab ties
Egyptian FM warns freeze alone won't bring full normalization; Netanyahu to meet Mubarak next week.
By Haaretz Service and Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Egypt Hamas Israel newsA construction freeze in West Bank settlements would make most Arab states more inclined to move toward normalization of ties with Israel, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Tuesday.
"Certain countries will be prepared to move closer to Israel if it takes significant steps for the good of the Palestinians, and will demonstrate seriousness and willingness for serious contacts," Aboul Gheit said following talks Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos.
However, Aboul Gheit cautioned, "A settlement freeze in the West Bank is not of equal value to normalization, and will not bring this about alone."
The minister's comments came after U.S. government officials said they had succeeded in extracting "pledges" from a number of Arab states to move toward normalization of relations with Israel. The officials, who refused to name the states in question, said that the promised gestures were offered in response to Israel's agreement to initiate a construction freeze.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, is planning to travel to Egypt for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak before the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah next week.
The prime minister's bureau confirmed the trip on Tuesday morning after it was reported by the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera news network. The two leaders will discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and West Bank settlement construction, Israel Radio reported.
Netanyahu's visit will follow trips to Egypt over the weekend by Hamas leaders, who met with Egyptian officials for talks over a deal for the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and Palestinian reconciliation efforts.
During a press conference in Cairo on Sunday, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal said: "The way to a deal is still long, despite the involvement of the German mediator."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also recently in Egypt, where he met with Mubarak.
Netanyahu previously met with Mubarak in Egypt in May. During the visit, he informed the Egyptian leader of his desire to renew peace talks with the Palestinians.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
While the wolf is killing sheep, it is not wise to expose more sheep. Israel has violated the Geneva Convention and every agreement it has ever reached with the Palestinians just so it can build more settlements. Israel does not have the leadership nor integrity to stop the settlers. Until Israel demonstrates an honest commitment to peace with justice, it remains a wolf in sheep's clothing.
No freezing of building settlements on arab lands NO FRIENDSHIP. We cannot stand broken promisses, and DELAYED Tactics for ever. Do come clean if you want the occupied territories, and just become a Binational state, plese dont try to keep on fooling us, arabs and the world.
Blames Mubarak for not massaging Israel,s quest for land. Here it is, and it has not been changed.Tell us why anyone would visit a nation of warmongers. "In the ?Peace and Security? chapter of the Likud Party platform, a recent document (1999) it says initially that: ?Peace is a primary objective of the State of Israel. The Likud will strengthen the existing peace agreements with the Arab states and strive to achieve peace agreements with all of Israel?s neighbors with the aim of reaching a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.? But then it says about settlements: ?The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting.? Therefore annihilating the slightest chance of a two-state solution. On Palestinian self-rule it says: ?The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel?s existence, security and national needs? Therefore annihilating any chance of seeing a Palestinian sovereign state. On Jerusalem: ?Jerusalem is the eternal, united capital of the State of Israel and only of Israel. The government will flatly reject Palestinian proposals to divide Jerusalem, including the plan to divide the city presented to the Knesset by the Arab factions and supported by many members of Labor and Meretz.?
Listen Gil---very few people are going to be massaging Israeli,s in the future. For 60 yeras Israel has refused to reign in it,s lust for land. So dont even start talking about frustration. Too bad you cannot do just what you like and expect everyone to come along and play nice with you. No thank you sir. Would not want to share the same oxygen with you or your likes.Dont like criminals, or their supporters.
Listen Gil---very few people are going to be massaging Israeli,s in the future. For 60 yeras Israel has refused to reign in it,s lust for land. So dont even start talking about frustration. Too bad you cannot do just what you like and expect everyone to come along and play nice with you. No thank you sir. Would not want to share the same oxygen with you or your likes.Dont like criminals, or their supporters.
refused to come on an official visit to Israel. This is an insult to every Israeli, to every Jew, Israel of course being the nation-state of the whole Jewish people. Therefore, Lieberman was correct having expressed his frustration and that of every single Israeli and Jew: He can go to hell.
The current government of Israel is not interested in normal relations between Israel and anyone. And it is also not the least inclined to freeze settlement expansion. Israel 'don't need no stinking world' to paraphrase an old movie.
"Why can`t Mubarak for once come to Israel? Is this a way to treat the other with respect? And if Mubarak has no respect for Israelis, why should we respect him?"Gil Maybe you will find the answer here. "“Egypt is waiting for the right moment to deploy its army in Sinai, in violation of the peace agreement,” claimed Lieberman, who just last Wednesday nearly caused a diplomatic incident by saying that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could “go to hell.” Never miss an opportunity to make a twit of yourself---do you Gil.
Strip, it took down settlement in Samaria and all that Israel has received in return so far has been terrorism and more terrorism: suicide bobming and rockets launched at civilian Jews inside Israel. It is time the Arabs demonstrated their goodwill. One simple way is to state directly their acceptence of Israel's right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Short of such a statement we have no reason to have any trust in the Arabs and their long term goal...!!
"Why can`t Mubarak for once come to Israel? Is this a way to treat the other with respect? And if Mubarak has no respect for Israelis, why should we respect him?"Gil Maybe you will find the answer here. "“Egypt is waiting for the right moment to deploy its army in Sinai, in violation of the peace agreement,” claimed Lieberman, who just last Wednesday nearly caused a diplomatic incident by saying that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could “go to hell.” Never miss an opportunity to make a twit of yourself---do you Gil.
Mohammedans were the last to recognize Allah.
to get your stuff back
There will never be "normal" relations for Israel with the Arab countries for the simple reason that Islam dominated the country at different periods of time and many yearn to return to those periods. More Palestinian laborers, more trade, freer travel, technical help, joint projects in water are all possible tho. What is desireable is reducing the simmering anger and violence that has characterized the region for decades. This is possible, and indeed, stopping the settlement activity would be a good gesture, because uncontinued it eats into the eventual Palestinian state and will cause permanent resentment and new hostilities. Very simple. Freeze, or burn..
The first three posters need to understand the way to look at this. This is directly from the EU and Leftist Manual of the New Paradigm: Israel must understand the need for the Arabs to keep up appearances at home. Hence, they do not vist the Zionist Entity. But, Israel must also understand that all violent Arab and Islamic invective is just "rhetoric" for the "Arab Street". Deep down, where they can't show it, the Arabs and the vast majority of Moslems love Israel and the Jewish people and just want a fair shake for the Palestinians. Well, this is what fools like Solana and most of the EU and to a growing extent, the Obama State Department want you to believe. So, please forgive Mubarak his need to not visit you. His intentions are both friendly and peaceful. he just can't make it appear so.
Jerusalem is the third holy place in Islam,and Mubarak had the opportunity for 30 years to visit there,did he?not importent enough i guess. And Bibi went to Pharoh and said,let my man go.
What about Mubarak to Israel ? Enough is enough.
If he wants a role, he has to be prepared to do his bit. Including warming up the peace between his anti-semitic country and Israel. Why do thiese Israeli leaders kiss the tiles under his feet? Never got that. Don't we have any pride left? Does he bribe?
the other with respect? And if Mubarak has no respect for Israelis, why should we respect him?