Abbas give in to U.S. pressure for indirect Mideast talks

of course that will have to follow whatever legally binding framework there is. but frankly, the fact that jerusalem once was meant to be a corpus separatum etc seems to me to be about as relevant as the original US constitution granting voting rights to a portion of the male population only at the time, not to mention excluding all the females. there's nothing i can see binding the parties to even mention that aspect w/even one word in the coming talks, whatever the relevancy once may've been. adding to all this that the legal framework everybody is up in arms about, at least since UNSCR 242 gives plenty room for at least 2 different interpretations (& again, not mentioning status of jerusalem, which it could've done). as far as i'm concerned, the separatum idea was dead the moment israel had taken over east-jerusalem in -67, if not killed already by jordan in -49, & UNSCR 242 sealed & buried it for good. cheers.

(thanks for commenting) i agree that israel has been insisting on "spreading the chess pieces all over the board", more /less since the start of oslo till the present. something the whole a-symmetry of occupation allows them to do. one can discuss the different reasons for that & whether it's justified, & of course, ideally the whole situation should be frozen, letting the two parties do the talks while no more decisions are changing the facts on the ground. that's one 'scratch'. this is not likely to happen, but it still might. in any case, it's something you & i have little influence over. the other bigger 'scratch' linked to the 'no precondition idea' that you're talking about, seems to me to be some pipe dream you & a few others are holding, basing it on a certain legal view of how things should be. when i say "no going back to status quo ante", i mean the opposite of that. there's no starting position but the one historically offered at any given time. - cont. (important)

(thanks for commenting) i agree that israel has been insisting on "spreading the chess pieces all over the board", more /less since the start of oslo till the present. something the whole a-symmetry of occupation allows them to do. one can discuss the different reasons for that & whether it's justified, & of course, ideally the whole situation should be frozen, letting the two parties do the talks while no more decisions are changing the facts on the ground. that's one 'scratch'. this is not likely to happen, but it still might. in any case, it's something you & i have little influence over. the other bigger 'scratch' linked to the 'no precondition idea' that you're talking about, seems to me to be some pipe dream you & a few others are holding, basing it on a certain legal view of how things should be. when i say "no going back to status quo ante", i mean the opposite of that. there's no starting position but the one historically offered at any given time. - cont. (important)

i: "in that there`s no way to go back to status quo ante" Ivo, nobody is claiming that the game *ENDS* with everyone back in their starting positions. But if these are really "negotiations without preconditions" then the game should *COMMENCE* with both sides in their starting positions. Bibi doesn't want that: he wants it to mean that Abbas has to go back to scratch, but he gets to leave his chess pieces spread all over the board. Ivo: "secondly, the solution to the question of jerusalem, as something similar to what was proposed as part of the original `partition package` 60 years ago, ie jerusalem as a UN run city, is definitely not going to happen (nor do the pals demand that). " *sigh* No, it ain't gonna end up like that, but if these are really meant to be "negotiations without preconditions" then you start with the recognition that Jerusalem was meant to be a corpus separatum, and then you begin the negotiations from THAT starting position.

J: "A point everyone ignores" Because it happens to be untrue.... J: "One of the conditions that erekat has stated repeatedly is that whatever land becomes Palestine must not have any Jews living in it." He has certainly said that Palestine will not accept having any "Israeli settlers" living in it, for the very simple reason that if those "Israeli settlers" stay behind then Israel will insist that the IDF remain there with them. But he has not ruled out the idea of them remaining behind PROVIDED that they agree to stay on as law-abiding "Jewish Palestinians". But not as trouble-making "Israeli settlers" because - let's face it - nobody needs that sort of aggravation....

MfG: "Oslo accords already accepted by the Pal leadership accepted 1967 borders." That is "defacto" recognition, because the Oslo Accords were not a treaty. That recognitions does not become "dejure" until the two sides sign a "treaty", and only sovereign states can sign "treaties". MfG: "But as I`ve stated in earlier posts even if Israel accepted the pre-67 borders your request of the 48 borders would be used...as a excuse...to continue a war with Israel." No, any desire that "Palestine" might have for the '48 borders becomes a dead-letter the instant they sign a treaty with Israel. Treaties are binding documents, and they can only be changed by.... another treaty i.e. once Israel and Palestine sign a treaty stating that the border is *here*, and *here*, and *here* then neither side can unilaterally change that line on the map, and it is pointless to pretend otherwise.

As an American I am entitled to my opinion. Just as you as a German are entitled to an opinion. If Abbas proposes something, it if for Israel to accept or reject. If Netanyahu proposes something, it is for Palestinians to accept or reject. If you are restating Netanyahu's stance, The "no preconditions" ploy has already been played out. If Elias likes my idea, he may pass it along. That is his right. My thoughts are based in equality and equity, unlike yours. Neither I nor my country has been belligerently occupying the Palestinians for 42+ years. And I don't see the purpose in a even more drawn out occupation. It is time for the boot to be removed from the Palestinian neck. Check where your foot is.

or anywhere in Israel. I smell fraud all over you, dude. I think maybe you live in Boca Raton or possibly a Philly suburb.

Another clown who uses the Bible to support land thievery. No doubt, "Mordechai" is some loser from Vancouver or Brooklyn. Get a job, and life while you're at it.

Seeing the latest financial situations of several European countries, the PA is wise to resume talks, because who knows when aid will turn to a trickle. The US has offered aid based on a peace treaty, but the PA had better hurry, for in this financial climate, they better grab it while the US has it.

The Israeli Number One State-Comedian Netanhyahu talks about peace, then pees in the pocket of Obama, pushing on with settlements on occupied ground and now gets granted by Merkel and Brown, putting Abbas under pressure. They make it very clear - there is no meaning with international law, no justice - just powers - say hello to the next generation of terrorists you are about to breed.

but he should have restricted his comment to Israel and zionists. In which case I would agree with him. What say you der Zweifler.

you seem confused---you always psot a diffeent date. Any way lets play your little charade--shall we. "all land which was allocated to ajewish state at san remo in 1920 is legally israel."vc/ph Please provide link or proof that includes the term---"Jewish State. "there are NO illegal settlements !"vc/ph Google case#2056/04 and watch for references to "Held under Belligerent Occupation". Oh as to these so called De Jure refs--we have been asking you to provide then for years---we are still waiting.

Israel is nor the thief, since Syria was always the aggressor in `67 and before.BG Ever heard of Moshe Dayan---read his recollection of the conflict with Syria and how the Israeli settlers just like "Eitan" kept moving further onto Syrian territory, in essence goading the Syrians into firing at them.What Hasbara school got to you. "Israel is Not the thief, Syria lost the land due to their stupidity," BG It is a against international Law to annex territory taken in war---no matter who started it. Read UNSCR 478 on the subject---Israel,s annexation of the Syrian Heights is illegal---and so say the rest of the planet---including the USA. "Why do you call Eitan names and make it personal ? If he`s a thief, you are a hatred-filled slimeball. I`d rather be the thief, possession is 9/10`s of the Law."BG Not name calling---just facts---the man is a thief. And you are an oaf.

very meaningful exchange which sheds much light on the question at hand.

my initial post and question, 31. I wish to add one more piece of information with which most are not familiar. The late Mr. Yitzhaq Rabin, in his very last speech at the Knesset, Oct. 1995, stated the following: 1. Jerusalem shall never be divided and indeed, it will include the suburbs of Giv'at Zeev, Ma'aleh Adumim and Gush Etzion. 2. Israel shall always retain the Jordan Valley and this area must be defined in the widest possible way. 3. A future Palestinian state will be less than a full state. Rabin by all accounts was a man of peace, and I would add, realistic peace. We should take his words to heart when we consider the seriously the Arab Israeli conflict.

ia no Complete Freeze on settlements on OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. Bibi should be told toobey all The PASSED RESOLUTIONS by the United Nations, before going to the Negociating table. Without forgetting that the 1st Resolution to partition the Mandate of Palestine, gave 55% to the Jews and 45% to the Muslims/Christians Arabs, and that JERUSALEM Was to become an International city of the THREE main Religions. They accepted that and that is the way it must be "NOW" for discussion .

post after post rolls into haaretz all of which are complete bunkum! all land which was allocated to ajewish state at san remo in 1920 is legally israel. there are NO illegal settlements ! de jure references have been posted for your education for years !!

where withing a decade we will be the majority and eat OUR Passion fruit. If I was the Pm I will listen to the memeber of the cabinet,and keep dreaming about the GREATER Israel stuff.

The USA and Israel are so closely coupled that the agenda will be set by Netanyahu .... not Obama or Mitchell. Abbas needs to be wary of any USA proposals. Even Egypt's leadership is biased because of USA aid. Listen to the EU and Russia. If there is to be any equitable resolution, their advice is of more value than Obama or Hillary.

One of the conditions that erekat has stated repeatedly is that whatever land becomes Palestine must not have any Jews living in it. Yet all the Arabs living in Israel must remain there and must be free to bring in their families. The Arabs insist that any place where they have ever lived must become controlled by Arabs, yet the almost one million Jews exiled with only the shirts on their backs from Arab countries are mever considered as being refugees. Why is this point never addressed?

Oslo accords already accepted by the Pal leadership accepted 1967 borders. But as I've stated in earlier posts even if Israel accepted the pre-67 borders your request of the 48 borders would be used...as a excuse...to continue a war with Israel. The Pal "phase plan"...to get as much land through negotiation, then use that land and a weakened IDF military position to attack and destroy Israel with the use of force...is a very old Pal plan. Your request for new demands proves this point. That's one of the problems, the Pals refusal to honor past agreements. You simply cannot trust that the Pals will keep their word. One of the tests of keeping your word is a new administration will honor the agreements of past administrations. A test the Palestinians clearly fail, thanks for proving that fact.

Time to finally remove the name of a TA square bearing his name.

God promised Land of Israel to the People of Israel, and that is Israel's Deed to the country. The Koran recognizes it as well--and I challenge anyone to refute that.. Precisely why Arabs do mental acrobatics to "prove" modern-day Jews are Khazars or Turks or Slavs, but nor "Children of Israel"..Pathetic..Arabs have 23 Arab states to live in, and Jordan, whose population is overwhelmingly "Palestinian", WAS part of the original Palestine Mandate set up by the League of Nations..Jews have but ONE National Home--Israel..

Israel is nor the thief, since Syria was always the aggressor in '67 and before. Why did Syria and lowlife Assad, Sr. fire artillery shells into the Israeli valley on a daily basis? Were these bouquets of roses, Labharasss ? Israel is Not the thief, Syria lost the land due to their stupidity, AND WILL NEVER RECOVER IT. Why do you call Eitan names and make it personal ? If he's a thief, you are a hatred-filled slimeball. I'd rather be the thief, possession is 9/10's of the Law.

There is nothing to stop you visiting the town you say is in Syria and seeing that it is in northern Israel. Let me give you a hint: you will not be able to get there from Syria because the border is closed. The only way you can get there is by flying into Israel and then going up to the north of the country. Ask the residents which country they live in and see what the answer is.

have rejected all of the offers and opportunities that you list, it is simple: what we call "Palestinians" have never been a unique people, and as part of the Arab world have always been opposed to Israel's very existence. All the offers made throughout recent history have assumed the existence of the national home of the Jewish people, Israel. They couldn't live with this reality back in the beginning of the 20th century and they reject it today. All that you need do is read their Charters which reflect their basic understanding of the Arab Israeli conflict and their vision for the future, one without Israel.

- in that there's no way to go back to status quo ante. mark is stuck in a suspicion about israel's position in general, more specifically about bibi's position at the present time, like so many people are. he never suspects there may be real problems on the pal. side as well, w/reg. to a willingness to give up on this /that when negotiating towards a final settlement of the conflict. he sees one side holding back only, & doesn't realize that both sides play their own game w/reg. to the red lines they see as crucial (ie w/reg. to when giving up what in dealing w/the most thorny parts of a possible agreement). that's the main problem he has. secondly, the solution to the question of jerusalem, as something similar to what was proposed as part of the original 'partition package' 60 years ago, ie jerusalem as a UN run city, is definitely not going to happen (nor do the pals demand that). it's too late for that, but theoretically speaking, it's not a dumb idea per se.

He aids and abets the occupation of Palestinians. He has no credibility as a broker.

Abass needs to stick to his guns he s only saying stop stealing my land for awhile so we can negioate peace

Isreal s actions proves it doesn t care about what any country thinks it does what it's wants more land and is only giving in because Obama doesn t care about apac or isreali lobby that has been pressuring other presidents in the past

The almighty Netanyahu has resoundly defeated Obama and Mitchell. This is a great victory for Israel. Now Israel can conduct sham negotiations while it uses the other hand to expel Arabs from East Jerusalem and seize more land in the West Bank. And in the end when the Palestinians have no choice but to refuse to accept these new facts on the ground which leave them without enough land to form a viable state...Israel and the World will blame them for the failure of the talks. The Palestinians angry at being duped once again will return to violent resistance as their only means left. Then Israel will begin outright expelling them from the West Bank as it has always wanted to do. The Israeli plan is working perfectly now despite Obama's slight delays.

Israel doesn't want peace because the constant state of conflict the leaders stir up means more economic and military aide coming in from the USA, more world sympathy, and most important of all...keep the very divided Israeli population united against a common enemy. Without the Palestinian conflict, Haredis/Ultra-Orthodox/Sephardim would be at war with the Seculars/Ashkenazis. Israel NEEDS and SEEKS conflict with its neighbors.

...we examine a few? 1. 1937 - Peel Commission proposal for an independent Arab state, rejected. 2. 1947 - UN Resolution for an independent Arab state, rejected. 3. 1948 to 1967 - all the territories now demanded under Arab rule, yet the local Arabs did nothing to demand an independent state with eastern Jerusalem as its capital city. 4. 1978 - Begin and Saadat offer for autonomy, to be turned into independence, rejected. 5. 2000 - Barak and Clinton offer for an independent state, rejected. 6. 2005 - Gaza was evacuated, but its Arabs opted not to set up an independent state there. 7. 2008 - Olmert's offer to set up an independent state with eastern Jerusalem as its capital, rejected. Shall we move on...?? Thus, the Arabs have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity and Abbas's refusal to recognize Israel right to exist and to negotiate with its elected officials directly is yet another opportunity the is being missed. Now, the question that must be asked is why...?

of the US. I wonder if, like last time, he will backtrack in the face of opposition from Palestinians? If he doesn't, will Netanyahu be offering even enough to get him to agree to being the 'leader' of a Bantustan labelled as Palestine by the Hafrada regime and its staunchest supporter? If I were of a Machieveli mindset, I'd wonder if Cast Lead had been in the works when Israel backed Abbas in overthrowing the election? He seems to be quite ameniable to trying to shield Israel from the consequences of that.

...Mark is right: if the term "no preconditions" are to have any meaning then it must apply *as* *much* to the Israelis as it does to the Palestinians. Recognition of Israel within the Green Line was only offered by the Palestinians in 1991, and so insisting that they are bound *by* that recognition is, indeed, as much a "precondition" as is Abbas' insistence on the Road Map. Year zero *is* the Partition Plan, and everything since then been political maneouvring, military bang-boom-crash, illegal actions by both sides i.e. none of them change the legal entitlement of either side. So "negotiations without preconditions" must also require - by definition - that the starting position be the "status quo ante", and for you to argue otherwise simply reveals how hollow Netanyahu's mantra really is, and how shallow your thinking is.

Thanks, Eilan, you've given me a new definition of "chutzpah" - the old one was getting a bit tired. It's an Israeli supporter attacking his political enemies for not obeying UN resolutions.

- as usual. what you guys don't see /at least fail to mention is that the testing now will be sharp & indeed merciless on both camps' positions. both camps have difficult barriers & issues to deal with, issues that have followed this process from day one & have become clearer over time. if these talks ever lead to direct ones this is going to become obvious to everybody caring to read the news, including you guys. it was never just one side that held back & had some real mountains to climb w/reg. to the necessary choices leading to a real settlement of the conflict. this last year's 'intransigent' israeli position hasn't changed this fact. basically it's only been about different paths to the direct negotiating table, securing whatever each camp regards as its most crucial interests. the rest is mostly appearances, not denying the fact that real obstacles & intransigence exist in both camps. you've been concentrating on the trouble in 1 camp only plus the appearances.

Is the post from "American" titled "Peace Is Disastrous on Israel" antisemitism in the guise of criticism of Israel, or do you consider this another example of legitimate criticism of Israel that should not be subject to condemnation for antisemitism? If the latter, what WOULD you consider antisemitic?

put in place. Israel will now present it,s usual pre conditions in a tip toe dance and all the while speed up the illegal setlement expansion. Abbas can go to his people and advise them to drop the two state solution----as there has never been, is not and never will be a pertner in peace with Israel. Then the fun begins when the Palestinians demand their rights as citizens of the Greater Israel. We shall see Zionists sceaming and yelling for someone to turn off that fan. Of course Israel will also use this period to stir up the natives by frequent incursions, arresting peaceful demonstartors and house demolitions and arrest at will and beatings and all the usual methods employed by the peace loving GOI who have the support of the majority of their peace seeking Israelis. Sure they are.

settler living on stolen property. Chaeck out his address--it is not inn Israel. So take this thief,s comments with a grain of disgust.

or the kissinger technique ?? lie to both sides and get them to agree ? perhaps not !!!!!

Read here what successive Israeli leaders have stated as their goal. Note the continuity which continues to this day and can be recognised in the likud charter. " In a letter Chaim Weizmann sent to the Palestine-British high Commissioner, while the Peel Commission was convening in 1937, he stated: "We shall spread in the whole country in the course of time ..... this is only an arrangement for the next 25 to 30 years." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 66) * Ben-Gurion emphasized that the acceptance of the Peel Commission would not imply static borders for the future "Jewish state". In a letter Ben-Gurion sent to his son in 1937, he wrote: "No Zionist can forgo the smallest portion of the Land Of Israel. [A] Jewish state in part [of Palestine] is not an end, but a beginning ..... Our possession is important not only for itself ... through this we increase our power, and every increase in power facilitates getting hold of the country in its entirety. Establishing a [small] state .... will serve as a very potent lever in our historical effort to redeem the whole country." (Righteous Victims, p. 138) * In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403) * One day after the UN vote to partition Palestine, Menachem Begin, the commander of the Irgun gang and Israel's future Prime Minister between 1977-1983, proclaimed: "The Partition of Palestine is illegal. It will never be recognized .... Jerusalem was and will for ever be our capital. Eretz Israel will be restored to the people of Israel. All of it. And for Ever." (Iron Wall p. 25) * ""Shamir has said Israel must keep the territories in order to accommodate the immigrants. "A great aliyah [immigration]," he said, "requires a Greater Israel."(5) He has insisted that, although Soviet Jews are not being directed to the territories, any Jew has the right to live anywhere in the land of Israel, which for most Israelis includes the territories.

Read here what successive Israeli leaders have stated as their goal. Note the continuity which continues to this day and can be recognised in the likud charter. " In a letter Chaim Weizmann sent to the Palestine-British high Commissioner, while the Peel Commission was convening in 1937, he stated: "We shall spread in the whole country in the course of time ..... this is only an arrangement for the next 25 to 30 years." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 66) * Ben-Gurion emphasized that the acceptance of the Peel Commission would not imply static borders for the future "Jewish state". In a letter Ben-Gurion sent to his son in 1937, he wrote: "No Zionist can forgo the smallest portion of the Land Of Israel. [A] Jewish state in part [of Palestine] is not an end, but a beginning ..... Our possession is important not only for itself ... through this we increase our power, and every increase in power facilitates getting hold of the country in its entirety. Establishing a [small] state .... will serve as a very potent lever in our historical effort to redeem the whole country." (Righteous Victims, p. 138) * In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403) * One day after the UN vote to partition Palestine, Menachem Begin, the commander of the Irgun gang and Israel's future Prime Minister between 1977-1983, proclaimed: "The Partition of Palestine is illegal. It will never be recognized .... Jerusalem was and will for ever be our capital. Eretz Israel will be restored to the people of Israel. All of it. And for Ever." (Iron Wall p. 25) * ""Shamir has said Israel must keep the territories in order to accommodate the immigrants. "A great aliyah [immigration]," he said, "requires a Greater Israel."(5) He has insisted that, although Soviet Jews are not being directed to the territories, any Jew has the right to live anywhere in the land of Israel, which for most Israelis includes the territories.

Why do you post an incorrect address. You live on the Occupied Syrian Heights not in Israel. That makes you an "ILLEGAL" squatter living on someone elses property that you stole. Since when doees the opinion of a thief have credibility.

Why do you post an incorrect address. You live on the Occupied Syrian Heights not in Israel. That makes you an "ILLEGAL" squatter living on someone elses property that you stole. Since when doees the opinion of a thief have credibility.

Israel has no incentive whatsoever to pursue Peace with the Palestinians and then the Arabs. First, Israel learned to live fine with the US taxpayer subsidizing any and all shortfall in it'economy by feeing the required massive funding for the IDF. The US , skewed with it' s , Jewish representation , aka. read double allegiance is totally happy rubber stamping any ludicrous pro-israel legislation. It is the path of least resistance for a political Carter serving the American People. Zionist Zealot sare of two kinds. First the hard core ones and then the wolves in sheep clothing. They all want the " Promised Land". And why should they change their spots, they got their infliltartous Jewish populations around the world in foreign nation doing the bidding and cover up onbehLf of the esyablishement. It is time for a bi-national nation where all are under the law and every man has one vote. Else, the blood bath will continue and the islamists are proving their point that west is duplicIt

It was fun to read the negative comments by the outraged talkback warmongers afraid that this modest step may signal the beginning of a real recognition by the Palestinians that there is no alternative to peace with Israel. Interestingly, the further away from the Middle East the talkbackers live the more outraged they are by this evidence that Abbas may be starting to see reason. The Prime Minister's offer of a demilitarized Palestinian state is still on the table but it will not be there for ever. Abbas should hurry to accept it while it is available because it is the best he can get and a lot better than he deserves.

The Palestinians have never been given 'opportunities', as every deal they were ever offered has been greatly to their disadvantage. (And failing to recognize this, and making fun of the Palestinians shows that your beloved mr. Eban was a contemptible jerk.) It may very well be that later generations will have to conclude that it was Israel who, in the years since the Oslo accords, has missed a precious window of opportunity for a secure future. So put a lid on the condescension. It is Israel who has the most to lose.

The Israel government is the great procrastinator of peace. It does not want "peace" for it would mean no control of resources or domination of other neighboring competitive economies. It would also mean having to abide by international law to rescind and return any land grabs it has made after 1967. NOPE, Israel want to prolong this "peace process" until the end of time, or at least until after it's left militarily subdued from going to war with Iran. Afterwards, it will be in a weaker position to negotiate. And everyone thought Arafat was the problem to peace!

you seem to represent the palestinians and you think that you can start negotiations where they were at the time that the arabs had rejected the partition. nor will jerusalem be an international city. that is not going to happen. leave negotiations to those who are duly appointed to do so.

Abbas can test Netanyahu's veracity about preconditions. He can offer to recognize Israel at its original UN defined borders (pre-49 armistice lines), and he can offer a 1:1 stationing of Israeli and Palestinian SOLDIERS on each other's ports of entry to monitor smuggling. He can also demand recognition of Palestine as the non-Jewish state in exchange for recognition of Israel as the Jewish state, with Jerusalem as an open UN administered city. A return to status quo ante. See if Netanyahu is serious about bargaining and if his ruling coalition survives the opening round after the maps are leaked to the press. He'll also see what actual value, if any, Netanyahu places on international treaties signed by Israel and ratified by the Knesset.

Mark Lincoln accused me of being an Israel hater yesterday, but then, I did mention the extensive damage to Iraq's ancient archeological sites, caused by U.S. bombing raids. : (

...opportunity to miss an opportunity" for peace. Abbas, true to his heritage, continues to miss such opportunities. Instead of dealing directly with the elected officials of the nation-state of the Jewish people, Abbas refuses to deal directly with them and continues to reject the demand that he accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people. He does so, incidentally, contrary to decisions of the League of Nations of 1922 and 1923, and contrary to United Nations resolutions of 1947 and 1949. And of course he does so contrary to the universally accepted right of all peoples, including the Jewish people, to national self-determination and independence of which Israel is its expression. If Abbas were brave and sensible he would come out now and state, in Arabic, his recognition of the right of Israel to be, to exist in peace and security as the nation-state of the Jewish people. But he is neither, thus continuing to miss every possible opportunity.

Oh dear,Mr Mitchell should have taken the advice of others and resigned. There is no prospect for peace unless all Palestinians are ethnically cleansed from the Grand Israel. What ever could come from talks would be Mini Vichy Palestine run by Quisling forces under the likes of General Dayton. Abbas and Fayyad are actors run from From Israel. No Palestine. Colonialist Israel triumphs and the US shown to be a puppet of Israel as well. Tragic day for all.

Having direct or indirect talks is immaterial. The most Israel is willing to give is less tha the least the Palestinians are willing to accept. We can expect only many more months of fruitless negotiations.

Israel may begrudgingly move some way to pushing by the US; and not to anything else. So it does seem reasonable for Abbas to check how far the US will go to push for what we all know should be the deal. Assuming he has commitment from them to push towards a fair deal, he should commence the talks. If I was Abbas I also would push for total media transparency through the process on who has offered what, and with what conditions. He is more likely to get world support, and keep both Israel and Hamas in check if he does that. Even if the others are not happy, he can always brief the media on progress, and then its for the others to deny.

1) The Israelis have done nothing but delay peace, for decades on end. 2) There will be no successful deal brokered by anyone other than the Israelis and Palestinians. Involving the U.S. is just another delay tactic. 3) You know that more and more Jews are shifting to your side every day. The israelis know that too, so they are trying to heat up the "war on terror". My advice? You have nothing to lose. Hook up with the Pakistanis, who are one of the few people's sophisticated enough to beat the Israelis at their own game. Stay defensive. Wait for peace. But make sure your friends have bigger rocks than their enemies.

Meanwhile, Israel gets to continue expelling Arabs from their homes in East Jerusalem and building settlements in the West Bank (under the many exceptions to the sham building freeze). So I guess Israel wins in the end. I predict the result will be the same as it always has, the parties will talk and talk and talk while Israel continues to build and build and build and create more facts on the ground. Oh the hypocracy of it all.

WHY DOES SUCH A HATER OF JEWS AND ISRAEL READ AN ISRAELI PAPER? Look man, you got way too much time on your habds bashing my people. Concern yourself with America's vast problems and when you all attone for wiping out the native americans and for taking land from mexico... then we will talk. okay?

"According to the same sources, Abbas intends to ask for a number of clarifications with the U.S. administration and will consult with Arab leaders prior to giving Washington his final response" Just curious Mr President, but what in the world gives any Arab nation any right to dictate anything to the Palestinians? These are the same Arabs who sold Palestine and Palestinians down the river. How's about consulting with your people, the PALESTINIAN PEOPLE in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West BANK first. They are the ones affected by this brutal and illegal occupation. Of course we've seen this in the past, Israel will place tons of preconditions, etc. Won't go nowhere unless the US gets stern with Israel.

This is indeed good and positive news that will lead to comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Thank God Abbas has finally agreed to resume the talks. (Thanks Laleh)

No negotiations = Reference Negotiations = No Reference Wait a month Abbas. You've waited this long. And there's nothing to be gained anyway.

Abbass should know that America now is a small power: even a power plant they don't know how to operate it.

This is clearly a test of the veracity of Netanyahu's "no Preconditions" offer. See if he's able to even mention borders and real sovereignty and real independence for Palestine. At the least it should prove interesting. And we'll also see if the Israeli governing coalition can withstand the threat of negotiated peace - not the dictated kind Netanyahu's been frothing about.

"A ladder...to climb down from a tree..." Our ancestors did that...it is not surprising that Bibi used those words. Unreal!

What kind of peace will result from talks where the enemy can't even sit down at the same table? What a farce--anyone who believes in this process should have their heads examined. Even mortal enemies like France, England and Germany sat at the same table for negotiations. Abbas should be told: thanks, but no thanks.

Indirect talks at low levels to map out positions? Yeah, right. As if they don't know each other's positions backwards and forwards. I guess it can't hurt, but I suppose nothing will happen until parties perceive it's in their interest to make it happen.

We all know that nothing will come of this, but at least Israel's Prime Minister will have a hard time convincing the world he is not the obstruction unless he agrees.

A distraction while Israel eats the pizza

Abbas climbed his tree in defiance of Obama's desire to preside over a peace process because he was expecting an Iranian Bomb to make all negotiations unnecessary. His agreement to indirect talks signals his recognition that Israel can not be destroyed and the international community, which finances him, has woken up to the Iranian nuclear threat. The likelihood is that he will now try to get the best deal possible for himself if not for his people. But Israel should beware: a cornered snake is still dangerous.

Who are they really trying to kid here? its very obvious that arabs want war with Israel and nothing will change until it happens. So sad to see arabs perish but it is to their own demise