Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumReport: Israeli government freezing construction beyond settlement blocs
A report in this mornings Yediot Ahronot claims that Israels government has introduced a de facto construction freeze in West Bank settlements beyond the major settlement blocs, areas which it is assumes will remain under Israeli sovereignty in any future peace deal.
It was reported last week by Army Radio that the United States had requested such an unofficial moratorium if Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) agree to US Secretary of State John Kerrys framework plan, in order to maintain subsequent progress in peace talks. The very suggestion of a construction freeze, even in isolated settlements caused significant anger among right-wing leaders, including those in Netanyahus Likud Party. Some 21 MKs signed a letter declaring We oppose any kind of freeze, including a settlement freeze outside of recognised blocs, and we will see any such Israeli commitment as utterly unacceptable.
However, according to this mornings Yediot Ahronot, a freeze is already in place in practice if not in name. The report claims that last week Jordan Valley Regional Council Chairman David Elhayani called Cabinet Secretary Avihai Mandelblit to inquire as to why several construction projects in the Jordan Valley had been delayed despite receiving Defence Ministry approval. Mandleblit apparently explained that there were instructions from the political echelon not to advance building plans beyond the major settlement blocs. Elhayani accused Mandelblit of suffocating the Jordan Valley, an important strategic area which has been a point of dispute during recent peace talks.
John Kerry is expected during the coming weeks to present Israeli and Palestinian leaders with his framework plan for final status talks, which he hopes will pave the way for peace negotiations to continue beyond their original end of April deadline. However, Elhayani is quoted in this mornings report saying that, Anyone who talks about the possibility of a freeze outside the blocs after Kerrys document is submitted doesnt realize that the freeze already exists in practice.
http://www.bicom.org.uk/news-article/19066/
Mosby
(16,328 posts)and recently have made "goodwill" gestures like releasing almost 150 Palestinian criminals and what does Erekat say about extending the peace talks a few months?
Does he really think Israel will accept RoR, full withdrawal to the green line etc.* BEFORE negotiations?
I'm starting top think Erekat is not playing with a full deck.
* I'm not agreeing with him that the items I brought up are actually required by international law, but we all know the Palestinian talking points and the ridiculous concessions they insist Israel complete before any serious negotiation happens. The Palestinian leadership could really use some formal training in mediation and negotiation.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)are a done deal with the Kerry Plan and it is an outrageous coup for Israel.
THAT is what the asshole should be screaming about.
The Palestinians will never have a viable state built upon released prisoners, that is an empty
draw..merely crumbs.
Do you think Kerry is worried about what he has to say?
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)and if Israel were to withdraw to the Green line little would be left to negotiate, RoR could be compensation, oh wait I remember now Israel is holding Palestinian compensation in any form hostage to what other countries do because they're Arabs- bet Southern Segregationists wish they'd of thought of that tactic back in the 1960's - hold African American rights hostage to happened in other African countries 'cause you know they're Black too