Hamas: Netanyahu emerged triumphant from summit with Obama, Abbas
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas: Partial halt to settlement construction does not constitute a freeze.
By The Associated Press and Avi Issacharoff Haaretz Service Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Israel settlements Mahmoud Abbas Israel newsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged as the winner following President Barack Obama's call for a renewal of Israeli-Palestinian talks "without preconditions," Hamas charged on Thursday.
The Palestinian Islamist group criticized Obama's call for a resumption of Mideast peace talks without preconditions - a move seen by some Palestinians as backpedaling from the American president's earlier demand for a freeze on Israeli settlement construction.
Hamas, whose political leadership is exiled in Syria, said the meeting with Obama that brought together Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York on Tuesday reasserted the U.S. administration's bias in favor of "the Zionist occupation," at the expense of Palestinian national rights.
Hamas said Netanyahu emerged as the triumphant and major beneficiary of the three-way meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
"Obama has outrageously gone back on his previous stand," said a statement from Hamas, which was faxed to The Associated Press.
Obama had in the past said all Israeli building must stop on lands the Palestinians claim for their future state. The Palestinians embraced this as a precondition for any peace talks.
But the U.S. leader appeared to have toned down the language at Tuesday's meeting, where he spoke of Israeli steps to restrain settlement activity.
Hamas said that restraining is not the same as freezing and urged Abbas to reject Obama's call.
Hamas, which is a bitter rival of Abbas' Fatah movement since the militants seized the Gaza strip in a bloody coup in June 2007, asked the Palestinian president to "stop all attempts to mislead and deceive our people by continuing to bet on futile and meaningless negotiations."
Just days after meeting with Netanyahu and Obama in New York, Abbas said Thursday that he saw no common ground on which to renew peace negotiations.
In an interview with the Al-Hayyat daily, Abbas called the Netanyahu government "a real problem."
The Palestinian leader added that he could not agree to Israel's compromise for a partial settlement freeze, which he said inherently implied continued construction.
"We can't accept the status quo because a partial halt means a continuation of settlements," he said. "Even if it is halted by 95 percent, it is still a continuation of settlement activities."
Abbas said that despite fundamental disagreements with Netanyahu over the terms of negotiations, he would keep talking to Israel about day-to-day issues that concern the Palestinians, including security and the economy. "We don't reject the principle of talks and dialogue," he said.
Abbas reiterated his stance that peace negotiations must resume from where former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government left off and insisted they include the core issues.
Some stride was made during talks with the Olmert government, said Abbas, adding: "There were maps drafted by both sides and proposals for territorial exchanges, and thus we cannot return to point zerio."
When asked whether he saw fundamental differences between the Palestinians and the Israelis which might stall negotiations even further, Abbas responded:
"The Netanyahu government is a real problem and there is no common ground for negotiations with it. Construction in the settlement is continuing, Netanyahu is declaring Jerusalem and [Palestinian] refugees topics not up for negotiations, so what is there to talk about?"
PA stands firm on settlement freeze, despite Obama speech
Senior Palestinian Authority officials had mixed reactions to U.S. Obama's remarks to the UN General Assembly Wednesday on achieving a comprehensive settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Abbas and members of the Palestinian delegation to the UN were pleased with Obama's statement that Washington is pursuing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, as Abbas has that diplomatic talks with Israel with Israel cannot begin unless it is clear that the 1967 lines are the goal.
But the officials expressed displeasure with Obama's declaration that negotiations with Israel should begin without preconditions.
Yasser Abed Rabbo, who heads both the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee and the PA negotiating team, said the PA was pleased with Obama's decision to hold another round of preliminary talks in the interest of bridging the gaps between the parties.
"Still, our message is clear - we have not retreated from our demands, and relinquishing them will lead to a diplomatic disaster," he said.
Also Wednesday, a meeting of donor countries to the Palestinians that was held alongside the General Assembly promised $400 million to the PA by the end of the year.
The Ramallah-based newspaper Al-Ayyam reported Wednesday that Obama told Abbas the U.S. position on West Bank settlements remains unchanged, but that no issue should delay the start of peace talks.
Abbas said the PA does not have preconditions for renewing talks, but "it is unacceptable for negotiations to resume while the Israeli side does not respect its obligations under the road map [peace plan]."
Abbas said two issues must be agreed on before talks begin: freezing West Bank settlement construction, and stipulating an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines as the basis for the talks.
A poll conducted by the International Peace Academy, headed by former UN envoy to the region Terje Roed-Larsen, found that 55 percent of Palestinians support a two-state solution to the Mideast conflict, while two thirds support the Arab Peace Initiative. However, the poll did not offer respondents the option of choosing a single Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
The survey also found that 70 percent of Palestinians do not support Obama, while 56 percent said they do not expect him to achieve progress toward a Palestinian state.
Fully 55 percent of respondents said they are pleased with Abbas's leadership, but only 36 percent were satisfied with Ismail Haniyeh's Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip.
The poll was conducted in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
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My I remind you ( all the anti Israeli posts) that Israel is the winner of all the wars the Arabs started!!! As the winner Israel who dictates no the other way around!! what a hucpa!!I'm not for Jewish setllers in Palestine, but this is the best way to make the Palestinians accept Israel.As long Abbas, Hamas, and so on will not accept Israel egsistance They have nothing to talk about with the gov they think that dazen't egsist, and than the Israelis can do what they won't.That's the name of the game.HAHAHAHSA the Arabs lost and now they dictate very fanny!!!
You are off the party line Vik. The official position is of the Netanyahu government is that Cast Lead was a magnificent success and the Gazans have been forced into total submission.
Whilst all the talk about two nations is well and good, Israeli settlers continue to abuse Roman Catholic Palestinians in the West Bank. Catholics worldwide need to take stand for our brothers and sisters suffering under Israeli occupation.
The longer Abbas is in control the more money in hidden bank accounts
The rockets and mortars will surely become less the longer Israels occupation continues.... Of course.
What is needed is not negotiations but an international court to decide the issue, and to draw the borders. According to international law. Execution of the sentence will be carried out by the UN Security Council.
When the Peel commission proposed a Jewish state in Palestine in 1937, chief negotiator Moshe Sharrat objected: "..the proposed Jewish state territory would not be contiguous; its boundaries would be twisted and broken...and the frontier line would separate village from their fields...". Surely, this view should hold for a Palestinian state as well?
Netanyahu's government is indeed a real problem, but there are real problems on Abbas' side too: since 1948 the Palestinians never woke up to the situations prevailing at any given time. They ask from Israel the impossible, now, as they ever did before! (the refugees, removing hundreds of thousands of settlers). Hamas is the other problem... Most importantly: how, and why, should Israel give up any advantages obtained after all wars inflicted upon it, while rockets, mortars, and terror from Gaza and West Bank are still an almost dayly occurence? HOW?
I guess abbas thinks continue rocket attack from PALs against israeli civilians is ok as long as you just condemn them?? How about this, Netanyahu will comdemn the building of settlements but do nothing to prevent or stop them.
Netanyahu's government is indeed a real problem, but there are real problems on Abbas' side too: since 1948 the Palestinians never woke up to the situations prevailing at any given time. They ask from Israel the impossible, now, as they ever did before! (the refugees, moving out hundreds of thousands of settlers). Hamas is the other problem... Most importantly: how, and why, should Israel give up any advantages obtained after all wars inflicted upon it, while rockets, mortars, and terror from Gaza and West Bank are still a dayly occurence? HOW?
Israel, of course. Every other nationa understnds that that is what is being discussed: the lines that existed prior to the outbreak of the 6 Day War-or- equitable and agreed upon land exchanges. What Israel intends is to give the Palestinians some disjointed cantons, basically in two seperated areas, one norht, the other south with controll over urban areas and disconnected Jerusalem from the WB. That is netanyahu's vision and someone should ask him if this is not his interpretation of borders.
As long as there is illegal settlement construction in the West Bank there will never be peace...
After a lot of expectetion! What a delusion!
... this coalition government is impossible to negotiate with... ... it only offers an ultimatum... ... if the Pals are prepared for a mini-state in the time being, that is what is on offer... ... the Pals must decide if that would reduce or improve their future negotiationg stance... ... it is sad that Obama seems not to have lived up to expectations...
the israeli's cry and say the palestinians wont live up to prior agreements... well low and behold stall tactics to exponge more land from the palestinians.
Abbas and his gang are hardly a creative bunch. A referendum on whether to make peace with Israel (or not) would serve the Palestinian people's best interests. Give them a voice.
unfortunatelly you don't know the history. The British mandate over Palestine included the Palestine you seem to know ,Israel and "WestBank" and also the Eastbank,Jordan. While England handed the Eastbank to the Hashite King. The UN split the remainder between Jews and Muslim. The Arabs were not "happy" about that and started an aggression which lead to what Arabs call NAKBA.So Arabs had close to 3/4 of Palertine territory, they did and still don't intend to accept these facts. They were and will be the loosers in this conflict!
...more double talk from Abbas.He's not interested in peace,just in grabbing a fifdom. Well done Mr Netanyahu for not caving in. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!
Abbas said two issues must be agreed on before talks begin: freezing West Bank settlement construction, and stipulating an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines as the basis for the talks. So what's left to negotiate? How quickly will Israeis have to move to allow in 5 million Palestinian refugees?
the palestinians have nothing to threat. Do they want to start a new intifada??? The people in the West Bank feel the better economy, the beginning of free moves between cities. Start with what you get, build confidence and then we'll see
......while Abbas fiddles. His refusal to talk to Israel only stregthens Israel's position. Thus, I view his negotiating position as very helpful to Israel.
Dear Mr. Abbas You have rejected the very generous offer of Olment. What do you expect now, to get more from Netanyahu?. You failed your people and therefore, please remain quiet and stop whining. It is about time for you Palestinian to be more realistic, and not to miss any opportunity to miss an opportunity.
All these requests seems Logical by all means, but: 1. Settelment should completely removed not frozen. 2. All Poor Palistinian refugees who are living in desperate conditions must go back to their homes + must be compensated 3. By accepting 1967 border Abbas is actually accepting the loss of 80% of palistine home land. Very generous offer. 4. Jerusalem is under 1967 land and must return to the Palistinians. The world, including the US, does not recognize it is the capital of Isreal yet. Abbas must not accept less than those conditions Or,mmmmm HAMAS will take over soon !!! Babe be aware ... the future is not at your side.
The latest statements by Abbas prove that his aim is not a Palestinian state. He is a corrupt leader who is working to help the fascist Iranian mullah achieve his aim: a nuclear world war to wipe out Israel. They will not pass!
the Palestinians must show they can hold it together before Israel will trust them. Look at Gaza, withdrawal did nothing but bring pain to both sides. Bibi is more realistic and talks straight honest talk, no double talk. The PA demands that are unrealistic - refuggees to return to within Israel rather than any Palestinian State - is not accepted by any Israeli and never will be. Israel already has a large Palestinian Israeli population and can have no more. Palestine must be for the Palestinians. All else is far too messy.
Abbas is right Netanyahu is a problem, he is not Olmert. O boy, oops another opportunity is missed...
Abbas is part of the PLO old guard. He's not interested in what's best for the "palestinians", which is a peaceful & prosperous future. His real intentions are clearly stated in the PLO charter - the destruction of Israel. Negotiations have continued while settlement building has taken place in the past. This is just an excuse for him to avoid making peace with Israel while looking tough before his fellow terrorists. He keeps repeating the same unreasonable demands such as the "right of return" which would flood Israel with arabs & east Jerusalem, which is the holiest place for Jews. He knows these are deal-breakers, so he's obviously not serious about peace.
A terror state in the w bank will allow arabs to store 50,000 katushas under houses. Who will stop it? Abbas? Oh let me guess... the UN? What's that you say... Egypt will do it for us? That's a joke! Look at gaza and S Lebanon for the example of the rockets under houses. Then Israel will of course be attacked with rockets from the new "delilitarized" state. All major population centers are in easy reach. Israel will defend herself and will then of course be referred by Goldstone to the Hauge criminal court. Hooray!! NO to ANY terror State. NO now. NO tomorrow. NO EVER! PS. after 60 more years of building in the West bank - another 800,000 houses - - there will be nothing to talk about. Good by me! Pals can live there if they want and govern themselves, or move to Jordan, their homeland which, incidently, occupies a full 60% of the British Mandate. Israel cannot divide its 33% in half to people who want to destroy her. The pals LOST the wars!
Democratically elected leader. the majority's choice. deal with it
on which Jerusalem is no longer Israel doing exactly in Israel's government? Is there no law in Israel that acting against nation of Israel carries repercussions?