Qurea': "No peace talks without halting settlements, accepting two-state solution"

Tuesday June 16, 2009 02:05 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Senior Fat'h leader, Ahmad Qorea', Abu Ala', stated Monday that the Palestinian leadership rejects the speech of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and added that the Palestinians are determined to establish their state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He added that a transitional solution would not be accepted, and that Israel must recognize the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees as stated in Security Council Resolution number 194.

Abu Ala’ further stated that Israel must stop all settlement activities without any preconditions.

His statement came during a meeting with senior Fat'h leaders in the West Bank. They were holding talks on reactivating the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and on arrangements to hold the sixth general conference of Fat'h movement.

On the internal issue, Qorea’ said that the “coup” in Gaza should push all faction towards reconciliation and unity, and thanked Egypt for its role in internal talks and for agreeing to host the July 7 conference in which a unity deal will most likely be signed. 

He informed Fat'h leaders on the ongoing meetings of Fat'h’s Central Committee in Amman, and added that the Central Committee is conducting all arrangements to ensure the success of Fat'h’s conference which will be in Amman on August 4.

The conference would include elections for Fat'h’s committees and other internal issues.

Blair welcomes the speech of Netanyahu, demands Hamas to change its policies

Tuesday June 16, 2009 03:07 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Quartet’s special envoy for the Middle East, Tony Blair, welcomed the speech of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and considered it a step forward. He also called on Hamas to change its policies but did not mention the ongoing Israel siege on Gaza.

Blair added that the situation in Gaza is very difficult, and urged for further aid to ease the humanitarian crisis.

He said that the reconstruction of Gaza should be started and that the international community should help in developing the economy in the impoverished coastal region. 

Responding to a question regarding the Road Map Peace Plan and the possibility of establishing a Palestinian State, especially after Netanyahu set his terms in his Sunday speech, Blair said that the speech was a step in the right direction, but added that what is needed now, is a real change on the ground to develop the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

He stated that what is needed is an agreement for a two-state solution, and then talks would be held on other issues such as the right of return of the Palestinian refugees.

Blair stated that he would act to “change the situation in Gaza”, but did not mention the ongoing Israeli siege which led to the death of hundreds of patients.

He added that Hamas must change its policies in Gaza so that the reconstruction can be conducted. Blair further said that the situation could change if Hamas changes its stances.

(Here, Bliar is reiterating the conditions of his Zionist masters that Hamas must recognize Israel first before negotiations, which means accepting the Israeli theft of Palestinian lands before lifting the siege).

Visiting Gaza, Blair said that he came Back to the region to listen to the people, and observe their suffering.

“the important issue here is that we want a change in Hamas’ policies, we need a policy that would enable the international community to boost the economy”, Blair stated, “Hamas must stop the smuggling through the tunnels”.

The envoy also said that the international community would support a Palestinian unity government that agrees to live side-by-side with Israel.

Blair arrived in Gaza to hold talks with UNRWA officials, and officials of civil society institutions. He left Gaza heading to Israel via the Eretz Crossing.