Netanyahu mulling gestures to bolster Abbas
Measures being considered include authorization for second cellular network in the West Bank.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu George Mitchell Mahmoud Abbas Israel newsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering goodwill gestures that would bolster the Palestinian Authority. The efforts represent an effort to help PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who suffered harsh criticism following a Palestinian decision not to press for the UN Human Rights Council's adoption of the Goldstone report on last winter's Gaza offensive.
Netanyahu is considering announcing a goodwill package during his meeting Friday with the special U.S. envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell.
A senior political source in Jerusalem said Thursday that during the meeting of the "forum of seven" senior ministers, a number of ideas were raised on goodwill gestures that would boost Abbas.
The Prime Minister's Bureau did not deny the existence of such proposals and noted that "some ideas are in place, but there has been no decision on the matter."
Measures being considered include authorization for setting up a second cellular telephone network in the West Bank and releasing the necessary frequency for use by the PA. Last week Haaretz reported that Israel is unwilling to allow the frequencies for use by Wataniya, the PA's other cellular telephone consortium, because of Palestinian efforts to gain the indictment of Israel Defense Forces officers at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Another idea is to stop opposing a Palestinian request for building a new city near Ramallah. It is also possible that more roadblocks will be lifted and other measures will be put in place to help improve the Palestinian economy, a key goal of Netanyahu.
Mitchell met with President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Thursday. Friday he will meet with Netanyahu, and over the weekend he will travel to Ramallah for talks with Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
At the start of his meeting with Peres, Mitchell said the United States was making efforts to restart the negotiations between Israel and the PA in the near future. One of the aims of the goodwill gestures is to encourage the Palestinians to agree to the resumption of talks.
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They are no substitute for the truth abd honest criticism...
We need less spin and more genuine negotiation. The two leaders should sit with Mitchell and begin to negotiate a permanent solution, and both must be prepared to climb down from the limbs they find themselves on. Specifically, the Palestinians must truly recognize Israel, and Israel must renounce settlement in expropriated lands. The rest must be negotiated in good will. If not, another 6 decades of conflict may result. Does anyone really need that to get to the point we are today again? Those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
Abbas has betrayed his people and it's time for him to go. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel must start searching for new peace partner. I think there is no partner today on Arab andMuslim side. Arab countries are corrupt and have apartheid regimes. Bribing Abbas won't help.
Doesn't this man, Abbas, have any shame? He agreed to bury Goldstone report in return for phone comp for his son, Yasser. Abbas is finished. Do you hear me, Mr Netanyahu. Your puppet is finished. (Thanks Olivia)
... oye, the condescension and the miser-like stance... sometimes do more harm than the deed itself...
The relation between Bibi and Abbas is co-dependant, neurtoic, self destructive and yet fated. They are like two ventriloquists trying to treat each other like a dummy. what is needed is for them to sit down without precondition, and stop all the games, before violence takes over again. neither is great, but history demands they both step up now and show courage and flexibility. or else.
"Netanyahu mulling gestures to bolster Abbas" - Haaretz headline Mull may mean to consider at length. But it's first meaning is to grind thoroughly, to pulverize. Netanyahu has, as did Olmert before him, sought to grind down Abbas, to pulverize his influence and destroy the Palestinian Authority. This was done by impulse, without much lengthy consideration. The goal was to destroy any political organization which might undermine Likud's goal of colonizing the West Bank. And it has worked magnificently. Had the Israeli right engaged in any lengthy consideration they might have realized that Abbas was a most willing puppet and under him a fragmented and ineffectual Palestine would remain not only easy prey, but a convenient excuse. During Cast Lead Abbas did everything Israel wished of him, and in return he was kicked in the nuts and treated like toilet paper. Mulled indeed. Pulverized.
...this is so absolutely pathetic. I have to admit that I never entertained for one second over the last 37-years that I have studied this conflict that Israel would ever get to this point.
Gotta throw the dog a bone once in a while. Abbas is the best type of puppies, he will do tricks without rewards.
it never ceases to amaze me how much these people can twist and distort the truth to their benefit. allowing the palestinians to operate the communications network is NOT A GOOD WILL GESTURE. in fact, stopping them palestinians from completing projects that improve their lives is a CRIMINAL offence. has anybody ever HEARD of britain allowing france to sell potatos as a good will gesture!?! only in palestine could such madness exist. the day will come when those known as "the israelis" will beg for good will gestures so they can live a normal life. oh im sorry i forgot, the children of sderot got boo'ed by the noise, thats why the terrorists cant have business projects. and the funniest thing of all, it never stops playing on the news, the comments of every israeli politician.. " if the palestinians spent their money on improving themselves instead of on weapons.."