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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Deputy FM Ayalon: Time for PA to live up to its commitments

(JPOST).Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon on Wednesday said it was time for the Palestinian Authority to live up to its commitments.

"The Palestinians have signed agreements that have called on them to dismantle terrorist groups and collect illegal weapons while they focus on the issue of the settlements, this is wrong and the settlements should not be singled out," Ayalon told the Jerusalem Conference on US-Israel relations. "We also call on Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas to cease the incitement against Israel. They should stop not only the incitement in the schools, mosques and websites but should also refrain from traveling to various capitals around the world and vilifying Israel and calling for Israel's relations with a third state or international organizations to be held hostage to the conflict."

He also stressed the unique nature of the US-Israel relationship.

"We have excellent relations with the US and its uniqueness is that regardless of minor disputes, the overall relationship is never affected," Ayalon said.

"Every facet of our relationship bodes well and is the cornerstone for stability in our region," Ayalon continued. "We welcome the important work of Senator [George] Mitchell who came recently to the region and placed an offer on the table. Israel accepted and we are still waiting to hear from the Palestinians."