According to former MK Dr. Yossi Beilin, who on Sunday addressed a forum of the extreme left-wing Meretz Party, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is close to reaching an agreement with the White House regarding negotiations with the PA (Palestinian Authority) based on the creation of a Palestinian State which will include areas of Yerushalayim liberated in the June 1967 Six Day War in exchange for land and security guarantees for Israel.

About six weeks ago, meeting in the home of the French ambassador in Jaffa, it was Beilin who announced America will be pleased with the upcoming announcement from the prime minister, that he will accept a construction freeze. The prime minister made the formal announcement about a week later, as Beilin said he would.

Beilin told Meretz officials that he has learned in conversations from world leaders and officials that the prime minister and his most trusted aide, attorney Yitzchak Molcho, are setting the stage to comply with demands to pull back to the pre-1967 lines. He detailed that Molcho has been meeting with special US Mideast envoy George Mitchell, discussing the ‘Terms of Reference’ document which set the preconditions for a resumption of talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). According to Dr. Beilin, the document contains the following points;
The prime minister will accept US President Barak Obama’s formula for talks with the PA to take place in a two-year period. The prime minister did not wish to accept a timeframe demanding that at the end of that period, an agreement will be announced.
Boundaries – He agreed to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s formula that the purpose of the negotiations is to actualize the establishment of Palestine, which will be based on the pre-1967 borders. This will result in defined border assuring the future and security of the State of Israel.
Yerushalayim – He agreed the matter would be left to talks but refused to agree to anything ahead of those talks.
Refugees – He agreed the issue of refugees would only be addressed in multilateral talks.
Previous Agreements – He agreed to adhere to all previously signed agreements by Israeli leaders, including Oslo, Wye, Roadmap and others.
Arab Peace Initiative – He is unwilling to adopt or express support for the Arab peace initiative. He is however willing to express support for the international community’s support towards advancing the peace process, such as the Arab initiative.

In actuality, Beilin’s statements support the position reported by senior AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) official Steve Rosen in his Foreign Policy blog. Rosen, who is close to a number of Israeli leaders, indicated more or less the same details revealed by Beilin on Sunday.

Beilin indicates the Americans are encouraged by Netanyahu’s position, optimistic regarding jumpstarting the diplomatic talks with the PA, but they are admittedly concerned regarding efforts to persuade Abu Mazen to agree and return to the negotiating table.

Beilin admitted he is concerned however because Netanyahu is simultaneously working to pacify the right-wing and for each step towards renewed talks with the PA he is talking steps to the right, steps that might jeopardize renewed talks with the PA, as was seen by announcing a construction tender [in Gilo] prior to accepting the 10-month construction freeze.

Beilin, a former government minister, Meretz leader, and an architect of the Geneva Plan and Oslo, stated he believes this is the reason for the sudden call by the prime minister to Kadima to enter the coalition, since the prime minister fears if he moves ahead with the Americans as planned, he may lose the right-wing support and the coalition’s stability may be in danger.

Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office confirm that talks are ongoing with the White House and the Americans, but no agreements have been reached and reports to the contrary are unfounded.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)