One has to wonder who is lying and who is telling the truth regarding the resumption of talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority).

PA leaders report Israel has agreed that the basis for the resumption of diplomatic negotiations is an Israeli willingness to withdraw to the pre-1967 borders, which means relinquishing Israeli sovereignty on Yehuda, Shomron, the Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights. In addition, this refers to major portions of Yerushalayim including the Kosel, Ramat Eshkol and much more. PA leaders signal Israel agreed to another construction freeze.

Bayit Yehudi Party leader Minister Naftali Bennett announced there will be no building freeze and “clinging to our principles paid off” as there are no preconditions to the resumption of talks.

US media sources report Israel will be releasing additional murderers, terrorists imprisoned since prior to the 1993 signing of the Oslo Accord, a statement not denied by Israel.

Last week, on the eve of the diplomatic breakthrough, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement denying any agreement to a withdrawal to the pre-’67 lines with a number of land swaps.

Bennett announced that as a precondition to the cabinet agreeing to resume talks with the PA his party will insist on continued construction in Yehuda, Shomron and Yerushalayim, adding “building brings life and the evacuation of communities brings terror.”

The Wall Street Journal, AP and others report that despite his denials, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has agreed to a “quiet freeze” – that is to say construction would be halted but there would not be an official government policy announcement on the matter.

On the local media scene, the prime minister is already putting his masterful oratory skills to work by releasing messages containing promises to allay the fears of those opposed to additional concessions to the PA.

Readers are reminded that Mr. Netanyahu was among those voting to uproot Gush Katif, and he only left the coalition after it was too late to change that tragic decision in a pathetic symbolic move.

He was also the prime minister who honored the agreement to hand over 95% of Hebron to the PA as well as responsible for prolonged construction freezes that leave thousands and thousands of couples homeless due to the lack of affordable housing on either side of the Green Line. He has also authorized many good-will prisoner releases which have permitted many terrorists to resume a life of terror.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)