Netanyahu To Mitchell: “No Settlement Freeze”

Friday April 23, 2010 00:49 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

On Thursday evening, Israeli occupation government prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told the visiting U.S. Middle East Envoy, George Mitchell, that Israel will not freeze its settlement activities in the occupied territories, including in occupied East Jerusalem.

The meeting between the two officials came shortly after Mitchell and his team arrived in the country to conduct the first visit in six weeks.

Netanyahu told the Israeli TV that “settlements are considered a red line”, he also underestimated the differences in stances between Israel and the United States, and described the relations between the two countries as open and sincere.

The Israeli Prime Minister accused the Palestinians of placing obstacles and preconditions in front of the efforts to resume the peace process.

As for the Iranian file, Netanyahu stated that the United States must increase the sanctions on Tehran and added that “Israel reserves its right to defend itself”.

He also stated that Israel is not interested in any war but accused Iran of smuggling weapons to Hezbollah party in Lebanon through the Syrian border.

The United States said that the current situation in the Middle East cannot remain
as it is.

Philip Crowley, U.S. State Department Spokesperson, stated that the “United States understands the Israeli position, but the current situation cannot continue”.

Crowley added that Israel and the Palestinians have responsibilities and should implement their parts of any deal in order to create the atmosphere that would enable the stalled peace process to advance.

It is worth mentioning that Mitchell will be holding a meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Friday.

Also on Thursday, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, received a phone call from Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, who told him that President Barack Obama is committed to resolving all final-status issues, and is committed to the two-state
solution.

Sunday Could Witness Official Declaration Of Indirect Talks, Israel Says

Friday April 23, 2010 12:00 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli sources reported that this coming Sunday could witness an official declaration for the beginning of American-mediated indirect Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. The sources expressed optimism that the mission of U.S. Middle East Envoy, George Mitchell, have a good chance to succeed while Israel will not be asked to declare settlement freeze.

The sources stated that the Israeli occupation government intends to conduct what is being described as “good-will gestures” by Sunday, including removing roadblocks, releasing a limited number of detainees, and handing “power” to the Palestinian Authority in certain areas.

Mitchell will be holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israel’s President, Shimon Peres, before he meets Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli daily, Yedioth Aharonoth, reported Friday that the U.S. administration agreed to the resumption of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians without any Israeli commitment to freeze its settlement activities in Jerusalem.

The paper was quoting a senior Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity. It reported that the official said that “Israel hopes the United States administration will understand the Israeli position regarding not being able to freeze settlement activities in Jerusalem”.

“Now, we hope the Palestinians will come to the same conclusion”, the official added, “The United States will pressure Abbas to resume indirect talks with Israel without any Israeli commitment to freeze settlement construction”.

Middle East Policy Specialist at the White House, Dan Shapiro, arrived in the Middle East on Thursday and held talks with a Netanyahu’s advisers, before he went to Jordan where he held a meeting with Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and handed him a letter from Obama.

The letter is said to be aiming at having Abbas “calm down” before the resumption of the talks, and asking him to trust U.S. efforts and mediation.

On Thursday, Netanyahu told Israeli Channel 2 that Israel will not freeze settlement activities, and will not accept any preconditions.