According to most accounts, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu emerged the victor from the Tuesday meeting with US President Barak Obama and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), agreeing to enter into negotiations with the PA without preconditions, while the PA demands for an Israeli construction freeze were placed on hold.

The prime minister stressed Israel’s willingness to enter into negotiations, towards achieving a true and lasting peace, while Abu Mazen spoke of his commitment to the Roadmap Plan, and told reporters following the meeting Israel must withdraw to the 1949 or pre-1967 borders, making it abundantly clear, that no true peace agreement between Israel and the PA will ever be reached since the PA is seeking Israel’s annihilation, demanding indefensible borders.

Mr. Netanyahu stated loud and clear that the PA’s refusal to recognize Israel’s legitimate right of existence is the major stumbling block to advancing negotiations. He also spoke of the need for acceptable guarantees that any land given away to the PA in a future agreement would not serve as a launching pad for terrorism, basing these fears on current Gaza realities, also repeating Israel’s terms, that the future State of Palestine must be a demilitarized state, without an army or any other military apparatus that might threaten or compromise Israel’s security.

For President Obama, a diluted victory as well, since there was a meeting, permitting him to redirect attention on the homefront, away from his declining popularity and troubled policy decisions, shifting the media spotlight on his successful role as Mideast peacemaker.

Commenting on Iran, Mr. Netanyahu stated additional pressure must be applied to the administration, stating the current regime is not as strong as people might believe, stating it is actually quite weak and lacks popular support of the country’s citizens. He stressed time is a critical factor and the international community must act now, as the window of opportunity before Iran is a nuclear nation is rapidly closing.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)