Both Jerusalem and Ramallah during pre-shabbos meetings with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell worked to improve their standing ahead of Mitchell submitting his interim report to Washington. Neither side wishes to be portrayed as responsible for delaying a resumption of diplomatic talks as the White House presses ahead, wishing to announce to the world the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) is visible.

Mitchell is expected to submit his interim progress report to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barak Obama, a report that will in all likelihood dictate the White House’s next move vis-à-vis pressuring Israel and the PA to sit at the negotiating table.

The PA continues to blame Israel, demanding a total halt of settlement construction prior to the resumption of talks. The PA has hopped on the international band wagon with condemnations of Israel on the rise, especially since Operation Cast Lead.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu continues to announce his willingness to resume talks with the PA, without preconditions, remaining committed to the Roadmap Plan, while rejecting White House calls for a total building freeze, especially in Jerusalem.

Israel continues to cite the PA’s habitual release of statements while failing to adhere to the most minimum points of signed accords, yet portraying itself as the party genuinely interested in peace, seeking to point out that the actions of PA leaders paints an entirely different picture.

(Written on isru chag in Eretz Yisrael – Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)