(YWN).According to most accounts, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu emerged the victor from the Tuesday meeting with US President Barak Obama and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), agreeing to enter into negotiations with the PA without preconditions, while the PA demands for an Israeli construction freeze were placed on hold.
The prime minister stressed Israel’s willingness to enter into negotiations, towards achieving a true and lasting peace, while Abu Mazen spoke of his commitment to the Roadmap Plan, and told reporters following the meeting Israel must withdraw to the 1949 or pre-1967 borders, making it abundantly clear, that no true peace agreement between Israel and the PA will ever be reached since the PA is seeking Israel’s annihilation, demanding indefensible borders.
Mr. Netanyahu stated loud and clear that the PA’s refusal to recognize Israel’s legitimate right of existence is the major stumbling block to advancing negotiations. He also spoke of the need for acceptable guarantees that any land given away to the PA in a future agreement would not serve as a launching pad for terrorism, basing these fears on current Gaza realities, also repeating Israel’s terms, that the future State of Palestine must be a demilitarized state, without an army or any other military apparatus that might threaten or compromise Israel’s security.
The prime minister stressed Israel’s willingness to enter into negotiations, towards achieving a true and lasting peace, while Abu Mazen spoke of his commitment to the Roadmap Plan, and told reporters following the meeting Israel must withdraw to the 1949 or pre-1967 borders, making it abundantly clear, that no true peace agreement between Israel and the PA will ever be reached since the PA is seeking Israel’s annihilation, demanding indefensible borders.
Mr. Netanyahu stated loud and clear that the PA’s refusal to recognize Israel’s legitimate right of existence is the major stumbling block to advancing negotiations. He also spoke of the need for acceptable guarantees that any land given away to the PA in a future agreement would not serve as a launching pad for terrorism, basing these fears on current Gaza realities, also repeating Israel’s terms, that the future State of Palestine must be a demilitarized state, without an army or any other military apparatus that might threaten or compromise Israel’s security.
UPDATE:(washingtonexaminer).Israel's foreign minister said Wednesday that the summit of Israeli, U.S. and Palestinian leaders proved Israel could successfully fend off international pressure to freeze West Bank settlement construction.
Speaking to Israel Radio, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the fact that the meeting took place showed Israel's firm stand against a settlement freeze was effective.
"This government has shown that you don't always need to get flustered, to surrender and give in," Lieberman told Israel Radio. "What's important for me is that this government kept its promises to the voter ... and the fact is that this meeting happened."