When US President Barak Obama arrives in Israel in the spring of 2013 he will not only focus on the Iranian and Syrian threats but the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). The daily Maariv reports the White House will demand a number of additional Israeli good will gestures to the PA, including a renewed construction freeze in Yehuda and Shomron.
The New York Times reports that efforts will focus on renewing the diplomatic process, to bring Israeli and PA leaders back to the negotiating table. The good will discussed the US releasing $200 million intended for the PA that was put on ice; handing over additional territory to PA control, and of course the release of additional prisoners by Israel. The main point stressed however will be a renewed building freeze by Israel.
What will Israel receive in return? The PA will back down from threats to take Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague now that it enjoys UN observer nation status. The PA threatened legal action in the international court after Israel announced plans to renew construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim.
The Times says President Obama is keeping expectations low regarding his first visit to Israel since taking office over four years ago.
There is also talk of a trilateral summit or possible expanding the summit to include Jordan’s King Abdullah.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
With all the good will gestures that israel does why should the pa negociate, they are winning everything with rocks and threats. Israel should crush the plo who supports terrorism and start propping up some real moderates who really want peace if any exist
This stupidity is beyond anything we have ever seen. After getting burned with sooo many gestures they haven’t learned a thing.
The only thing one could say is, ‘its Hashem’s way of saying, “why do u put your trust in people, who for any stupid, or political reason will do the dumbest thing ever!!!