(YNET).The Israeli defense establishment is closely monitoring the Fatah congress, which is meeting in Bethlehem to decide on the Palestinian movement's future.
"We do not intervene in the Palestinians' internal issues," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday. "We have allowed anyone who can arrive at the conference to do so, so that the decisions made there will have the broadest legitimization.
"Nonetheless, the decisions will testify to the Palestinian side's readiness in terms of continuing the negotiations with Israel," the minister said, in light of reports that Fatah planned to add to update its platform a clause stating that it would not recognize Israel as the Jewish state.
Speaking at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Barak noted that Israel would insist on keeping the settlement blocs as part of any solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well a solution to the refugee issue outside the boundaries of the Jewish state.
According to the defense ministers, it is important that a future agreement "reflects the end of the conflict and the lack of mutual demands between Israel and the Palestinians."
Barak clarified that the Israeli government's relations with the American administration continued to be close. "Important and tight relations are the foundation of Israel's foreign policy.
"We ascribe great importance to the relations with the United States on all aspects – in the political, security and economic fields. We are holding an intimate dialogue on a variety of issues, in a bid to set President Obama's plan for a comprehensive regional agreement in motion."
"We do not intervene in the Palestinians' internal issues," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday. "We have allowed anyone who can arrive at the conference to do so, so that the decisions made there will have the broadest legitimization.
"Nonetheless, the decisions will testify to the Palestinian side's readiness in terms of continuing the negotiations with Israel," the minister said, in light of reports that Fatah planned to add to update its platform a clause stating that it would not recognize Israel as the Jewish state.
Speaking at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Barak noted that Israel would insist on keeping the settlement blocs as part of any solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well a solution to the refugee issue outside the boundaries of the Jewish state.
According to the defense ministers, it is important that a future agreement "reflects the end of the conflict and the lack of mutual demands between Israel and the Palestinians."
Barak clarified that the Israeli government's relations with the American administration continued to be close. "Important and tight relations are the foundation of Israel's foreign policy.
"We ascribe great importance to the relations with the United States on all aspects – in the political, security and economic fields. We are holding an intimate dialogue on a variety of issues, in a bid to set President Obama's plan for a comprehensive regional agreement in motion."