Netanyahu aide hopes PA peace talks will be renewed within weeks
Uzi Arad: Our priority is to renew the peace talks; Peres: PM can and must make peace with Palestinians.
By Haaretz Service and Jonathan Lis Tags: Shimon Peres Israel news Middle East peaceA key aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Arad, said on Monday that he hoped stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations would be renewed within the coming weeks.
Arad, the National Security Council chairman, said Israel was not investing all of its efforts in relaunching peace talks with Syria because it did not wish to harm the chances of doing so with the Palestinians.
"Preoccupation with the subject of Syria is likely to be interpreted as an attempt to flee from the Palestinian issue, which is not the case," Arad told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
"The Israeli policy today is to restart the Palestinian process; Israel is making efforts, some of which are coordinated with the United States, in order to renew it."Arad's comments came after President Shimon Peres said peace between Israel and the Palestinians was just a "step away," and urged the Netanyahu government to do everything necessary to ensure an end to the conflict during its tenure.
"Today, there is just one step left between us and the end of this conflict," said Peres. "The current government can and must do it. The painful solution of dividing the land, two states for two peoples, was something the [Israel's first prime minister] David Ben-Gurion took on himself, and today it is accepted by the majority of the nation.
The president spoke during a memorial ceremony marking 36 years since Ben Gurion's death, at Sde Boker in the Negev.
At the ceremony, both Peres and Netanyahu spoke out against the recent spate of events involving Israel Defense Forces soldiers declaring refusal to heed orders to evacuate West Bank settlements.
Netanyahu reiterated his stance that "there is no place for refusal" or "ideological camps" in the IDF.
"One of Ben Gurion's major ideas was that the army would be of the state, and today in particular, we must return to that concept," he said. "We will fight refusal of orders with every power and means we have. This is in our souls and it is the essence of our existence. There is one IDF, one hierarchy of command. This is how it was and will always be."
The president made similar remarks saying that Israel must preserve its "one army. The army remains regardless of what government has been elected."
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Netanyahu and Peres during annual memorial ceremony for the late Prime Minister David Ben Gurion on Monday. AP |
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CBK: "The PLO has not changed one bit from the plane hijacking terrorist organization they were in the seventies till now." Apart from the plane hijacking, of course....
Firstly, what difference does it make that Arafat is a person and israel a state? Arafat was the leader who actualy elevate Palestinian status to as close as astate they can be. Secondly Natalie knows this her omission of this is most likely purposeful as Such that must be exposed so that others will know when theyread her posts, it's critical to understand the interests of journalists and authors when reading their work, a talkback is a much lower version of journalism or writing but the above still rings true, if not louder since the medium and mean to transmit is free laslty, one should note your avoidance of evening mentioning Arafat in light f avarice, on Likud, hasnt bibi actually been first to propose long settlement freeze and didn't more settlements get built under past left coalition of this is true how do you rectify this? Or you just say settlements as ifyhats the worst thing happening on this earth.
The Palestinians want peace, but they also want a viable, contiguous land to govern. For that reason, settlements are a crucial issue. It would be well to develop some trust entering negotiations. Palestine is in a submissive position with little hope for fair treatment. No major power sponsors them, but yet Israel has USA backing. There is a natural reluctance to enter negotiations for fear of leaving those negotiations with less than they have now. (1) The Israeli government could let Palestinians freely use the highways built for exclusive Israeli use throughout the West Bank. (2) Settlements could be opened up for Palestinian occupancy. (3) Checkpoints within the West Bank could be closed or removed. (4) Palestinian family reunification could be allowed. (5) The Wall and taking of Palestinian land could be stopped. (6) The IDF levels could be reduced and let the PA take more control. The hope is for a lasting peace, and that cannot happen only with fair treatment.
I believe that is the BEST IDEA that would make everything over there better. Freedom for all. I might not start out smoothly, but when both sides end up dealing with each other they will learn to live and prosper together. Why fight, its not like fighting is helping anything out.
... and during those weeks we all know that the settlers will only accelerate building... ...thereby confounding the peace talks even before they begin...
to return to their homes in israel itself.You must not forget that Palestinians were living there for more than 2 thousand years since the Roman expelled jews.The Palestinians of today are the children of jews who were converted to Islam and Christianity.
Adress Natallie,s post wihtout the personal ad hominen---if you can. Israel as Natallie states is gaing land on which to build the Greater Israel---as in the liked Charter. Ever read it , Eli????. Here is part of it.ot the guts???. "Likud charter * The 1999 Likud charter emphasized the right of settlement in "Judea (and) Samaria" (more commonly known as the "West Bank" and Gaza),"[8] and as such, brings it into direct conflict with Palestinian claims on the same territory. Similarly, their claims of the Jordan river as the permanent eastern border to Israel and Jerusalem as "the eternal, united capital of the State of Israel and only of Israel," do the same. * The 'Peace & Security' chapter of the 1999 Likud Party platform ?flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river.? The chapter continued: ?The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state.?[8]
The PLO has not changed one bit from the plane hijacking terrorist organization they were in the seventies till now. Do not waste our time with the PLO nor other terrorist and let us pursue peace for a change instead with those who want it.
this is the usual spin from the worlds leading spin meisters. If Natanyahu wants peace talks to proceed--he only has to stop the Illegal settlement expansion. There in lies the probelm. Opposing actions. Good part up to now, was that Israel was somehow able to convince a majority that they were the eternal victim,s and were at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. Cast lead put a stop to that myth. But not too worry folks---given the propensity for Rabbis advising Soldiers to refuse to take military orders and the lack of cohesion in the GOI and the lack of Violence by the Palestinians---Israel is in deep poopoo. Imploding, I do believe describes it perfectly. Oh well--zionists never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Greed always brings down the greedy one.
what was going on in his beloved country. He was a fighter who also knew the art of comprimise. Would that he were here today and that he and Bibi could swap places. Many of us are disgusted with the waffling going on and also the price, those of use who work, have to pay for the arrogant settler "bums" who are freeloading our economy to death. Lets get it done and move on. 40 years is 39 years too much!!
To live free in your homeland without occupation is much more better than living in prosperity under occupation. Be sure that the palestinian people will ashieve high standard of development in their free palestine.don't forget the huge amount of Dollars poured into israel since its existence and who were behind its strength today.
He will not deny and shall continue with his double games, he is the ultimate humbug and opportunist. He was elected president so he would shut up,now he acts like Israels senior Minister of Ministers.He is the great pretender.
You beleove that Jews do not deserve a state to represent them, that Jews do not deserve one state out of the plethora of states in the world, one state smaller than the us state of new jersey? Than can I ask, what are your views with regards to countries like Saudi Arabia who restrict immigrants and even just visas o ensure that the kingdom remains Muslims, if one group, non muslim decided to take up residence there in such numbers that, if it were a true democracy would challenge the Muslim culture of the kingdom, would you be for their right to live there regardless f Saudi right to have a muslim state? And if so why I jwillll have more question plfollowing uour answer to these
Interesting, Gunner Yaring said the same thing decades ago.
Asidefrom te rest of what you've written which makes no sense when examined historically, 3 nos from Khartoum. Camp David as per Clinton and Ross etc... But only Israelis profit from there not being peace? What did you smoke this morning that made you forget that Arafat died as one of the richest men on earth while his people are dirt poor. And what is it we hear from Hamas, their critique of fatah is that they are corrupt. So anymore garbage you wish to spew from for fingertips today? I have time to explain the falsehoods presentEd by your serpent typing fingers "Israel continues to profit from avoiding peace. this is not true for any other party"
I am an advocate for the 2 state solution. Do you think if one state were created the Arabs would happily move back in next to Jewish neighbors? No, their resentment will remain. What will happen is that the Jewish citizens of "Israstine" or whatever you want to call it will live in gated communities, and people will complain about that! Israel is the only way to ensure the survival of the Jewish people. I believe their should be a Palestine made up of the West Bank and Gaza, but if that doesn't happen there are 22 other Arab countries. There is only 1 Jewish state. To suggest that we give that up is anti-semetic, you want us to abandon our homeland to appease another group of people!
there is in fact de facto peace and quiet!! what nuttie cal;ls peace is givinbg the arabs something to which they have no entitlement . all settlements are legal !!!
If Israel would help the Palestinians to create and maintain a viable Palestinian State, Israel would win world approval and change its image forever in the workld community's eyes...
As President you must ,must keep out of politics . I remember A Peres bitterly opposing Begin before he took the decision to bomb the Iraqi nuclear reactor ,I remember Rabin afraid of Moshe Shakal(then minister of Police )and Peres combination that would have left Rabin out in the cold ,and on and on ,none of political manouvering and manipulations complementary. Peres remember you are President not the Prime Minister .
I heard about countries for certain races, but I have never heard about countries for a certain religion. Israelis will not accept a binational country since the growth rate of Palestinian People is very high compared with that of jews which in turn will cretae a big demographic problem to Jews. Palestinians have been asking for binational country for long time, But unfortunately Israelis want Israel the occupier.
It would help a lot if Peres would repudiate the settlements he is largely reponsible for.
It is the other way around.
The more important and bigger question is: What are the Arab elites going to tell their peoples when there is a Palestinian state. Who are they going to blame for the third world living conditions of the vast majority; the lack of rights and education of their women; the decrepit state of their transport systems; schools and hospitals; the endemic levels of corruption. Will the Palestinians achieve what every single Arab/Muslim country in the world, not under Israeli occupation, has not been able to achieve all these decades? At least for now they can tell their peoples that the only reason they are not enjoying Western standards of living is because of those Israelis occupying the West Bank. Which reminds me, Zimbabwe has just evicted the last white farmers, I wonder what excuse they will tell their starving population.
Peres seems to forget his role is not PM nor Foreign Minister
No israel, No Palestine. One State Solution is the best for all. One Man, One Vote, Equality for all inhabitants. Equal Pay for Equal Work, Equal Water Rights. No Apartheid, No Segregation...A Very True Secular Democracy. Let us call it :?State of Holy Land
If Israel wanted to make peace, they would have no trouble placing a freeze on settlement expansion. This expansion is an overt act of aggression which has no place in the activities of a nation seeking peace. The Israelis have been crying for peace for decades as they covertly undermine the process and blame it on the Palestinians. Israel continues to profit from avoiding peace. this is not true for any other party.