MK Ahmed Tibi, do you believe Netanyahu has changed and will move toward peace?
Deputy Knesset Speaker Tibi, who is considered close to the PA negotiating team in the peace talks, says he is pessimistic about Netanyahu and the peace process.
By Jonathan LisDeputy Knesset Speaker Ahmed Tibi (Ta'al ), served in the past as adviser to Palestinian Authority head Yasser Arafat, was a member of the Palestinian delegation to the Wye Plantation summit in 1998 and is considered close to the Palestinian negotiating team in the direct talks.
MK Ahmed Tibi, do you think Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has changed and really plans to advance negotiations with the Palestinians and take bold decisions?
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Tibi. “In national conflicts there are no angels, but there are victims. The people that is under occupation is the victim.” |
| Photo by: Emil Salman |
I don't see signs Netanyahu has changed. Therefore, the expectation for a breakthrough in the peace process doesn't exist, at least for me. There are three reasons for my pessimism: his diplomatic positions, the right-wing and very extremist composition of his government and the inaction on the part of the American administration. For this assessment to change there will have to be a drastic shift in Netanyahu and his surroundings and the United States will have to change the role it has been playing unsuccessfully for 17 years and start to use its status and influence as the world's greatest power to lead a diplomatic agreement in the Middle East. The proof is the failure of the American efforts to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian agreement.
Does the problem lie with Netanyahu's right-wing government?
When the Annapolis summit was held I also called it a nothing conference, when the whole world was spreading euphoria. Netanyahu is saying, "Give me a chance." He has already had chances in the past and the results are known. Today Netanyahu is heading a coalition that is further to the right and we will see the results when he starts discussing the future of Jerusalem. Then we will hear the position of the most extreme right-wing minister, [Interior Minister] Eli Yishai and not [Foreign Minister] Avigdor Lieberman, or when other sensitive issues arise. Netanyahu has the option of changing the makeup of his coalition but what guarantees are there that with a Netanyahu-[Tzipi] Livni team there will be a diplomatic agreement? A Kadima government alone, after all, did not reach an agreement.
Will the Palestinian Authority be able to justify its existence if the current negotiations fail?
If the negotiations don't succeed, and the (United Nations ) Security Council does not impose an arrangement in which there is recognition of the establishment of a Palestinian state, it is possible there will no longer be a need for the PA. Then the world will have to confront once again the reality of occupier and occupied, without the PA as a mediating element. I of course am telling you my opinion and not speaking for anyone else.
It is said former prime minister Ehud Olmert's proposal was generous but PA President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen ) was inflexible and did not accept the compromise.
The truth is that the maximum Olmert could offer in his day did not reach the minimum Abu Mazen and the Palestine Liberation Organization can accept. This applies very much more so to Netanyahu. I can't see any Palestinian leader signing a final agreement in which there isn't sovereignty in East Jerusalem including the holy places and Al Aqsa, and in which there is not a return of territory equal to 6,235 square kilometers, the total area of the West Bank. I think Netanyahu's proposal is not to end the occupation, but rather to rearrange it.
Some have called Netanyahu's address in Washington "Rabin-esque." What is your opinion?
True, this wasn't a typical [Netanyahu] speech, but 17 years after the movie began, the ending is still the same. Netanyahu can change the script and so can [U.S. President] Barack Obama. Obama must apply unprecedented pressure to the government of Israel and confront it with one single option: ending the occupation in exchange for a different future. Apart from the fact that establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the realization of the Palestinian people's legitimate right to self-determination, it has become crucial for everyone, including Israel. Because there are two options: the two-state option the international community supports, and there is a majority in favor of this among both peoples, and the one-state option, which at this stage is a nightmare for some Israelis. But I am beginning to hear more and more voices on the Israeli right aiming at something similar. ... It has become a sort of Israeli bon ton currently led by the Yesha settlers council and the Israeli right. However, the world isn't going to accept a status quo that means deeper apartheid in the occupied territories. This increased considerably after the war in Gaza and the crimes committed during its course, and continued during the Turkish flotilla.
You aren't directing any criticism at the Palestinian side and the Arab world in the negotiations.
The Arabs took an historic, unprecedented step toward the state of Israel in a proposal Israeli arrogance shelved: the Arab peace initiative. This is a proposal for full peace in return for full withdrawal. Could anyone have imagined that 20 years ago a proposal like this would have arisen? Either the Israelis did not consider it deeply or this is more proof of the way they relate to negotiations. They should have grabbed the Arab League proposal with both hands and looked toward a different future. They did the opposite. In national conflicts there are no angels, but there are victims. The people that is under occupation is the victim.
To what extent do the things you are saying represent the Palestinian leadership? The Palestinian negotiating team?
I am in touch with the Palestinian leadership and the various Palestinian factions. What I am describing faithfully represents the Palestinian mood. This round of talks, on which I am not pining hopes, will be the last. Failure of these talks is liable to lead to harsh results and an outbreak of violence and this worries me very much.
Why is the PA refusing to recognize the Jewish identity of the state of Israel?
The person who started with this demand was Tzipi Livni, before the Annapolis summit. It is odd that a state asks other states or personages to recognize its identity in such a specific way. Abu Mazen has told me he will never recognize this definition. I represent a different stance, whereby Israel has to become a country of all its nationalities. A country of all its citizens isn't suited to the Arab minority in Israel, because it isn't getting the collective rights of a national minority.
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Only the US can break this logjam. Without US support (particularly money and weapons) Israel cannot survive. Obama needs to provide more than just a table, chairs, food and wine for Palestine and Israel to go round in circles.
Why in god's name are we askingTibi if he thinks Netanyahu will change The question is will the Palestinian negotiating position change. It's just like Haaretz to miss the point.
He will always define peace as the destruction of Israel. Tibi must be sent to Gaza where he belongs.
is preaching Israeli Public? I am really surprised that he is still in some position of authority as he needs to be locked up for sedition or immediately expelled to arab country of his choice. I will not be a bit amazed that he is an active participant in terro activities against the Stae of Israel.
any Islamist like Tibi actually want peace when they support the PA charter calling for destruction of the State of Israel?
I think it does not fit the member of knesset, even from the opposition to avoid saying WE then he talks about people in his country - Israel.
He takes advantage of the Israeli democracy and open society to denigrate. It is this type of antizionist who prevents peace and not the Prime Minister Natanyhu.
Netanyahu, Abbas, and Obama are risking their political legacies with these negotiations. Of course failure is possible, even probable. But I believe all parties are conducting serious negotiatios. Netanyahu has been calling for direct talks for a long time. He has repeatedly said that peace is possible. If he fails he will look like a fool, if he succeeds he will be historic - forever the the prime minister who brought real peace to Israel. He will be celebrated all over the world and remembered by future generations. I don't think he can resist that idea. Peace is smart. Compared to what can be gained with peace, discussions are about details. It may be painful, but given satisfactory security, Israel can give what is needed. Give Palestinians more than they ask for. Give them something they didn't even think of asking for. Give them 101% of the West Bank. Who cares? These are details. It is not the geographic size of a country that determines its importance (if so, you would be unimportant even if you kept all of the West Bank). Peace will be worth the concessions. Just think about it...
Ahmad Al-Teebi, the knesset member- is a very realistic,pragmatic personality(Pal.Arab) and is able to predict the pal-israel future precisely.Every Israeli citizen will remain under the threat of a horrific war , if their leaders continue to fullfil the zionist strategy of occupation and oppression. The present and coming arab generations will never permit the existence of an expansionist ,racist state in this v.imp.part of their region. The surest and most secure pathway for a permanent settlement is the assimilation of jews in the arab world.
As we are in the middle east and not a western country peace should be made here in this arab region. al for decades the arab world comes with realistic peace plans but they were nevber accepted by us israeli :-(
This sounds like a realistic assessment based on signs that we all are observing at the present time. However, miracles happen and Begin signed the Camp David Accord made peace with Egypt. Although the coalition of Natanyahu is adamantly against any compromise, often contradicting his own statements; yet there is something new in Natanyahu's language, demeanor body language and a feeling that he somehow realizes his chance to turn the tide. I will keep my own optimism with fingers crossed though.
Netanyahuh is pretty fair and realistic and speaks with his hands and everybody understood him in Camp David ! That is true !
Unfortunately you are right, thats why the Palestinians never put any effort in applying to any agreement, thats why after the Oslo records rockets and suicide missions made headlines, thats why the PA only has demands (and no willingness to offer anything), that why the PA is not interested to do anything for their people (higher quality of life will lower the birth rate).
1. Neither the US nor the UN Security Council can impose a settlement on the Israelis and Palestinians. No international force could keep a peace which is not desired by either side. Israel needs to withdraw both its soldiers and its settlers from the West Bank. The Palestinian government-to-be cannot permit attacks on Israel from its territory. No international force could prevent Jewish settlers from infiltrating back into the West Bank nor would their probable rules of engagement allow them to effectively keep Hezbollah, Hamas or Iranian operatives from infiltrating it. 2. Normalized relations with the Arab League countries do nothing to allay Israeli fears that the West Bank could turn into another Gaza Strip with missiles being fired at Israeli population centers from much closer range. IN THEORY PEACE IS POSSIBLE, but it requires Israel to take chances which they are unwilling to take at this time (or any previous time, for that matter), and it would demand security accomplishments from the West Bank authorities which they seem unable to achieve. What’s required from the Israeli side is 1. Pull the IDF out of the West Bank. 2. Pull all the Jewish settlers out the West Bank. The PA could probably concede a few settlements along the Green Line. 3. Predominantly Palestinian neighborhoods have to be given to the new Palestinian state. Muslim holy places need to be under Palestinian control, and places that equally important to both Palestinians and Jews have to be kept neutral with free access to worshippers from both sides. However some kind of provision has to be made to prevent neutral places from becoming safe haven for terrorist and criminals because law enforcement from neither side dares enter. 4. If the above concessions are made by Israel, I believe the Palestinians will no longer insist on the refugees’ right to return to places inside Israel and might accept token compensation. If Israel makes the above concessions, the Palestinian side has to do the following to prevent Israel from reinvading the West Bank: 1. They must seal the Northern, Eastern and Southern borders effectively to prevent Hezbollah, Hamas and Iranian operatives from infiltrating the West Bank to attack Israel. 2. Of course, they cannot prevent all attacks, but when they do happen, the Palestinian security apparatus must do everything possible to find the perpetrators and truly punish them. Palestinian jails can’t be revolving doors for terrorists. For exceptionally bloody attacks on Israel they should either apply capital punishment or extradite the perpetrators to Israel. 3. Furthermore for any attack perpetrated from the West Bank the West Bank government must officially apologize to the victims and make restitution to them. (Of course, the same would apply to the government of Israel should a group of former Jewish settlers attack targets in the West Bank. If the Palestinians permit the West Bank to turn into another Gaza Strip, Israel will reinvade, and the US, most European countries and possibly some Arab countries will understand, reasoning that the Palestinians had their chance but blew it. If Israel makes the above concessions and if Palestinians achieve the above security objectives, the West Bank could become a showcase for the people of Gaza which would eventually precipitate the downfall of the Hamas dictatorship there. (It always amuses me when people refer to Hamas as the democratically elected government of the Gaza Strip. In any free election held today no Gazan would vote for Hamas. But I digress.)
the WORLD is determined to put a lid on this pandoras box... if israel sends bibi or hamas their mickey mouse - it doesnt matter... a solution will be found and implemented now. time is up.
This is because, OSLO asks for Israel to withdraw to 1967 borders, which is the core of the Issue. Israel has everything to win until peace comes. Now time is running short and PA will be dismantled and there will be ONE STATE with Palestinian Majority and Jewish brothers living together in future.. God willing... Zionism will perish..
Feel free to quote the section in the accords. Arafat chose his prearranged intifida over the Clinton plan
impartial ? Why not just ask Fatah their impartial opinion?
impartial ? Why not just ask Fatah their impartial opinion?
He is so amazingly two-faced. First he wants the destruction of Israel, then he questions israel's desire for peace. My question to him is will he ever live in a Jewish state or prefer to live in a Palestinian state?
1) Jerusalem will united under Israeli sovereignty; 2) Major Jewish settlement blocs will be part of Israel's sovereign territory; 3) The Jordan Valley must be viewed in its widest geographic meaning and it will remain under Israeli rule; 4) The air space and border passes by land, air and sea of a Palestinian state will have to be controlled by Israel. Rabin's ideas and reasons are not any different than those of Netanjahu. Both men, one from Israel's left and the other Israel's right, have considered Israel's national interests and among them above all!!!
think different than both Rabin and Netanyahu. Their views constitute Israel's main stream, but of course Tibi, Arafat's former advisor, can accept Israel's right to have national interests and red lines.
you leftist haaretz leftist and arab mk are 5th column in state of israel tell all your friend akiva arabs sarid burg jerusalem is ours and no one can get it remmember what dayan, rabin elezar aha ve shalom said we have return to our holiest of holy never to depart your interview is worthless
You speak of holy and holiest, and yet I hear hate, do you consider your hatred to be holy? I'm just curious.
Everyone had better hope Netanyahu has seen the light. Otherwise Abbas will fall and Hamas will rule. If Hamas rules it will become a duel to the death between the Israeli and Palestinian right. And there are many decent people on both sides who are alive today will die because Netanyahu would not bend an inch to make peace.
with a voice of moderation and civility in a desert of extremist rantings.
No, I cannot believe Netanyahu has abandoned his dreams of an Israel extending from the Nile to the Euphrates. But I must hope, otherwise Israel must exterminate millions of Arabs to achieve the dreams of Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak. If Israel has to do what the Third Reich did to achieve their ends, then Israel will have depraved thousands of years of Jewish history, and millions of Jews. Either Israel will make peace and allow a Palestine, or Israel must exterminate the Palestinians. There are no other outcomes possible. If Israel chooses to make peace impossible then Palestinians will have no choice but fight to the death. And Israel will have no choice but exterminate every Arab man, woman and child. Hitler was a monster? Is Israel? What a fearful concept.
Olmert has proposed to give 99.3% of the West Bank to the Palestinians (with landswaps), sovereignty over East Jerusalem and the Arab quarter of the Old city, the internationalization of the Holy Bassin and a safe passage between the West Bank and the Gaza strip that would be under Israeli sovereignty but under FULL Palestinian control. If this is less than the munimum the Palestinians can accept, we have a serious problem. Nonetheless, even Ahmed Quorei recognized that the Pals came close to reach an agreement with Israel. I don't see why Tibi is so pessimistic since Netanyahu seems to follow the guidelines of Olmert's offer. Personally, I'm optimistic.
I advice Tibi to look in the mirror before starting to criticize others. Once he will become a loyal citizen of the state he lives in and which gave him more than any other state in the middle east could ever give him - then we may start to listen what he says.
The reason Netanyahu demands it is that he can then say:The Palestinian refugees cannot return to the Jewish state. But the refugee problem has to be discussed as part of the deal, not as a "trick". For Abbas to recognize Israel as the homeland for the Jews is to demand from him some determination about history. What Abbas knows as a historical fact is that Israel was part of the homeland of the Palestinian people (as they are defined today). The Jewish claim is debated by historians (although I, and most Jews, believe it as a certainty). If Abbas is willing to decide historical claims, he might say: Israel and Palestine together are the homeland for both the Jewish people and the Palestinian people. (Indeed, Judea and Samaria are the homeland of the Jews more than Israel proper). But such a historical determination by Abbas will be of no use for Netanyahu. I think Yahoo should reconsider his pointless demand.
Abbas knows that Netanyahu can't and won't accept that. So what do they intend to negotiate over if they do not accept Israel as a Jewish state and Palestine as the Arab state? Borders and everything else become irrelevant if the Arabs occupy both states. Abbas has already said he will not accept any Israelis in Palestine.Why can't Israel demand the same with all the Arabs who claim to be "Palestinian"? PS Iran will coninue to be a hostile entity while the Mullahs rule.That's not about to change. any time soon,Islamist ideology is well entrenched amongst the poor ,the uneducated and in the country side Islamist ideology is not compatible with acceptance of Israel of any kind. PPS The BDS brigade does not want to boycott Turkey over Cyprus or China over Tibet,why do think that might be?
Where did Abbas demand that millions of Palestinians be allowed back into Israel. As to allowing Israelis to stay in Palestine---why should he unless they are willing to become citizens of Palestine and swear allegiance to said state. You are so full of hot cacca as always. BDS is focussing on Israel because it is in the business of oppression at the same time it is claiming to be the light unto nations. It is the hypocracy that gets you attention. Same for you psm.
Peter is not lying
1. islam and its inability to move beyond the 7th century 2. jewish refugees from islam occupying israel. 3. judenrein in the arab world . 4.jewish refugees from modern day anti semitism when you get past these logios in the 25th century ther might be hope ??
much the same as you would claim for Jews, the only difference is that their rights are not God-given, but in accordance with international law. Wasn't accepting the return of Palestinians one of the conditions for Israel's acceptance into the FN?
it,s about numbers and no one is demanding that millions of Palestinians be allowed back into Israel---10 k to 50 k is the number but psm and you possibly do not want one Arab getting into the Greatyer Israe.
US Jews won't accept the US as a Christian nation because it would make them second class citizens in their own country. Why should Israeli non-Jews accept similar treatment?
Netanyahu wants peace but the Islam followers only want to kill innocent unarmed and defenceless people because it appears to be the Muslims National Sport.
The previous Oslo accords were signed years ago. At present Israel has complied with about 70% of its obligations, the Palestinian's have complied with none of theirs at all. Negotiations with the the Palestinian's should not go ahead until the Palestinian's have complied with at least 50% of their previous agreements as a show of good faith.
The previous Oslo accords were signed years ago. At present Israel has complied with about 70% of its obligations, the Palestinian's have complied with none of theirs at all. Negotiations with the the Palestinian's should not go ahead until the Palestinian's have complied with at least 50% of their previous agreements as a show of good faith.
The source of the problem is the Sovereignity to live in their own land by Palestine... How much of sovereigninty has Israel provided to the Palestinians..? 70%... where did you get this numbers from... Let me know.,