Racist Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman Rejects US-Backed Arab Peace Initiative

Jordanian King calls for Arab-Islamic task force to back-up US peace efforts

Date: 23 / 04 / 2009 Time: 11:45
Bethlehem - Ma’an/Agencies -

King Abdullah II of Jordan called for the formation of an Arab/Islamic task force charged with backing up the US in efforts to reach a peace deal in the Middle East on Wednesday.

The call came following a meeting between the King and Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday.

"We are ready to shoulder our responsibilities," King Abdullah said after commenting on the large role Washington has played in the search for Middle East peace. He said a serious and speedy set of negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be launched, and highlighted his support of a two-state solution along the lines of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

For her part, Pelosi outlined the US commitment to continuing their efforts in the region, and affirmed the necessity of a strong partner in Jordan.

Lieberman: Arab Peace plan not acceptable because of refugee issue

Wednesday April 22, 2009 23:13 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said on Wednesday that he opposes the Arab Peace Initiative as it calls for the Right of Return of Palestinian refugees into Israel.

During a cabinet meeting concerning the government’s diplomatic policies, Lieberman stated that some clauses of the Arab Peace Initiative are “dangerous and a recipe for Israel’s destruction”.

"The clause on the right of return cannot be agreed to," he said during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The Arab Peace Initiative calls for a full Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and the Right of Return of Palestinian refugees, in exchange for normalization with Israel.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, said that it is very important to achieve a comprehensive peace deal in the Middle East.

Barak added that Israel and the United States should formulate details of the Initiative in order to have guarantees that Israel’s security interests are not harmed, and to ensure the Jewish character of Israel, without the Right of Return.

On his part, Lieberman said that the United States cannot pursue any peace initiative if Israel does want to participate.

Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported Wednesday that US President Barack Obama is willing to request Arab and Israeli leaders to start gradual implementation of parts of the Arab Peace Initiative.

Israeli member of Knesset, Haim Ramon of the Kadima party, said that the statements of Lieberman are ridiculous and cause damage and tension in relations with the United States.

Ophir Pines-Paz, a Labor member of Knesset (MK) said that Lieberman is causing strategic damage to Israel, and added that in light of these statements, it is not certain whether Obama would be meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian and Egyptian leaders received invitations from the White House to hold separate talks in the coming weeks to discuss advancing the peace process.

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