Al-Jazeerah Editor's Note:

July 10, 2010

With full support from US-EU governments, successive Israeli occupation governments kept negotiations endlessly with the Palestinians for a political solution to the conflict.

The negotiations between the PLO and the Israeli government through US mediation started in 1988, climaxed in 1991 Madrid Conference, and intensified in Norway until the White House handshake in 1993.

Continuous negotiations were never concluded and the Palestinian people are still suffering under the brutal Israeli occupation, and recently the siege of starving Gaza.

Endless negotiations have been functioning as the cheapest way to maintain the Israeli occupation of Palestine, a public relations job to relax people around the world, giving them the false feeling that peace and justice are coming.

Israeli invaders of the Middle East are not peace makers. They want nothing short of total subjugation of the region, using repression of the Palestinian people as a tool to frighten other nations in the region.

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PLO: Israel wants 'loose' talks

Published today (updated) 10/07/2010 16:11 Ramallah – Ma'an –

 Israel wants talks that are "loose, without a framework or timeline, and with no guarantees," PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo said Friday.

Speaking on Palestine TV, Abed Rabbo said the Palestinian Authority told the US that it would not enter direct talks until Israel commits to a settlement halt and abides by other requirements for negotiations.

The PLO official's comments follow those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his recent US visit, when he told leaders of American Jewish organizations he believed direct talks would begin soon.

The PA is still waiting for a response on questions put forward to Israel during the current round of US-mediated talks, he said, adding that US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is due in the region in 10 days to relay answers.

"Once the Palestinian leadership receives answers, the PLO’s Central Committee should convene and take appropriate decision depending on these answers," Abed Rabbo said.

He added that the recent meeting between Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian premier Salam Fayyad resulted in "no clear answers" on the Palestinian question.

“We will not get involved in negotiations unless we know where they lead,” he said, adding that the PLO requires a clear reference for talks, with issues on the agenda clearly explained, as well as a time line.

"We will not start direct negotiations that could last for more than ten years," Abed Rabbo added.

Direct talks with Israel were broken off in December 2008 as Israel launched its Operation Cast Lead against Gaza. The PLO and the PA have maintained that focal issues to talks, which include borders and security, should be addressed by Israel before Palestinian leaders return to the negotiating table.