Chaim Ramon, who was a deputy prime minister in the Olmert administration, reports the issue of so-called Palestinian refugees is what prevented a deal between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority), explaining the sides failed to reach agreement on the number of refugees who would be permitted to return as well as the timetable for their return.

Speaking at a Tel Aviv University conference on Monday, Ramon stated the breakdown in talks between Jerusalem and Ramallah was not over Jerusalem, but over the refugee issue. “They accepted what Olmert offered regarding Jerusalem” he told the participants.

He called it a dramatic accomplishment, the fact that the PA was willing to accept all Jewish neighborhoods constructed in the capital since 1967 would remain in Israeli hands, including Gilo and Pisgat Ze’ev, boasting that accomplishment. There was disagreement however on the amount of land to be included in the land swap deal to compensate for areas remaining under Israeli control, with Olmert offering 6.5%, which included 5.8% as land exchange and 0.7% as part of the free passage areas connecting Yehuda, Shomron and Gaza. 1.9% was allocated for the actual free passage route. This would have resulted in expelling 270,000 Israelis from their homes throughout Yehuda and Shomron, areas that Olmert was turning over to the PA.

The issue of the right of return for refugees surrounded demands that they be permitted to return to areas inside ‘Israel proper’, for ‘humanitarian’ reasons or to permit uniting families.

Ramon explains they were willing to permit a certain number to return over a number of years, but they insisted a different number.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)