The cabinet on Sunday, 17 Sivan 5773 discussed ongoing efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to jumpstart the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). Kerry arrived in Jerusalem last week where he met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other senior state officials as well as PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in Ramallah.

At the cabinet meeting Minister of Tourism (Yisrael Beitenu) Dr. Uzi Landau reminded his colleagues of a statement made in 1969 by Foreign Minister Abba Eben, sending a clear message to Kerry.

“The legendary foreign minister Abba Eban once said that the 1967 borders were ‘Auschwitz borders.’ What country wants borders that it cannot protect?” stated Landau, who made reference to Eban’s remarks in an interview with Dir Spiegel in which he said “…I am not exaggerating when I say that it [June 1967 borders] reminds us of Auschwitz.”

Somewhat on the other side of the ideological fence is Minister of Environmental Affairs (The Movement) Amir Peretz, who stated with a measure of confidence that ultimately, the agreement with the PA would be based on the pre-1967 borders.

Commenting on statements, chief PA negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat emphasized Israel must withdraw to the pre ’67 borders and stop “all settlement activity”, adding this was not a precondition to resuming talks but Israel’s obligation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)