(Ynet).The Palestinians announced Sunday that indirect talks with Israel have officially begun, marking a return to formal peace negotiations after a 17-month breakdown.
"I can officially declare today that the proximity talks have begun," Chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat says following third meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US special envoy Mitchell. Earlier, Erekat says talks will be renewed from place they left off during Olmert government.
A Palestinian source told Ynet, "The Americans promised to handle firmly any attempt by Netanyahu to thwart the negotiations."
Palestinian sources told Ynet that the Palestinians demanded guarantees from envoy Mitchell that Israeli would not issue any declarations which would harm the negotiations.
"The Americans promised that there would be no construction in the settlements during the negotiations, and that any Israeli attempt to thwart the talks would meet a strong and firm American stand. It appears the Americans are determined not to let these talks fail and slip away as they have in the past," one of the sources said.
The talks were expected to be held in Jerusalem and Ramallah, but will begin in the United States without any direct contact between the parties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Palestinian Authority's decision to launch proximity talks with Israel during Sunday's cabinet meeting. "The talks will be held without preconditions, as we have insisted over the past year, but they must lead to direct talks as soon as possible," he said.
"As time goes by, we cannot reach decisions and agreements on critical things like security and our and their interests without sitting in one room," he added. "Peace cannot be made from afar."
"Peace cannot be brought from a distance or by remote-control, especially as we are such close neighbors. These agreements, crucial to Israel’s future and that of the Palestinians, will not be reached without us sitting and negotiating in the same room. We must achieve peace and security so that we are able to live side by side with the Palestinians for generations.”
"I can officially declare today that the proximity talks have begun," Chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat says following third meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US special envoy Mitchell. Earlier, Erekat says talks will be renewed from place they left off during Olmert government.
A Palestinian source told Ynet, "The Americans promised to handle firmly any attempt by Netanyahu to thwart the negotiations."
Palestinian sources told Ynet that the Palestinians demanded guarantees from envoy Mitchell that Israeli would not issue any declarations which would harm the negotiations.
"The Americans promised that there would be no construction in the settlements during the negotiations, and that any Israeli attempt to thwart the talks would meet a strong and firm American stand. It appears the Americans are determined not to let these talks fail and slip away as they have in the past," one of the sources said.
The talks were expected to be held in Jerusalem and Ramallah, but will begin in the United States without any direct contact between the parties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Palestinian Authority's decision to launch proximity talks with Israel during Sunday's cabinet meeting. "The talks will be held without preconditions, as we have insisted over the past year, but they must lead to direct talks as soon as possible," he said.
"As time goes by, we cannot reach decisions and agreements on critical things like security and our and their interests without sitting in one room," he added. "Peace cannot be made from afar."
"Peace cannot be brought from a distance or by remote-control, especially as we are such close neighbors. These agreements, crucial to Israel’s future and that of the Palestinians, will not be reached without us sitting and negotiating in the same room. We must achieve peace and security so that we are able to live side by side with the Palestinians for generations.”