Israel warns EU over Jerusalem Issue

It seems that peace negotiations are not going to start anytime soon anyway. Although Israel has claimed a temporary freeze on settlement building, this does not include a large project that is taking place in an area that Israel claims is part of Israel even though this is disputed internationally. Israel insists on total control of any process of recognition of Palestine even in the face of difficulties with its chief ally the US.


Israel warns EU over Jerusalem issue
Jerusalem: Israel today warned the European Union against its purported plan to recognise a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood by dividing Jerusalem, saying it would harm efforts to renew peace negotiations.


"The process being led by Sweden harms the European Union's ability to take part as a significant mediator in the political process between Israel and the Palestinians," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"After the important steps taken by the government of Israel to enable the resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians, the European Union must now exert pressure on the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Steps like those being led by Sweden only contribute to the opposite effect," the statement said.

Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported today that EU foreign ministers are expected to officially call next week for Jerusalem to be divided so as to serve as the capitals of both Israel and a future Palestine state.

A draft document, authored by the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, Sweden, and in possession of the daily, implies that the European Union would recognise a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood.

The Jewish state is waging a diplomatic campaign to stop the EU from issuing such an endorsement, but diplomats close to the deliberations believe it is "virtually inevitable".

Olmert calls for continuing boycott of Palestine govt.

US and others talk about democracy is revealed as hypocritical. The US, Israel, and others have tried their best to destroy the Hamas elected govt. and when Hamas and Fatah patch up their feud the reward is continued choking off of funds. Democratic govts. are OK but they must be starved into submission before they are fit to negotiate with.

Israeli PM calls for Palestinian boycott

Jerusalem, March 18: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today called for the international community to maintain a year-long boycott of the Palestinian government following the formation of the new Unity cabinet.

"We expect the international community not to fall for the new Palestinian Unity government and to continue with the same line it has taken all along, the way of isolating the government which does not accept the quartet principles," Olmert said at the weekly cabinet meeting.

The quartet of Middle East peace mediators -- the US, EU, United Nations and Russia -- froze aid to the Palestinian authority after Hamas, which came to power last year over the Islamists' refusal to renounce violence, recognise Israel, or abide by past peace accords.

The new Palestinian government unites Hamas and the Fatah faction of moderate President Mahmud Abbas.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya presented the new government programme to Parliament yesterday, but Israel says it fails to meet any of the quartet conditions.

"The government platform includes some extremely problematic elements which can't be accepted by Israel or the international community including the right to resist and the use of terror," Olmert said.

Olmert has vowed to maintain contacts with Abbas, but today said that relationship would be further strained by the latter's agreement to share power with Hamas, a group responsible for scores of suicide attacks against Israel.

"The new government and its platform limits our ability to have dialogue with the head of the Palestinian Authority and also limits the spectrum of topics we could discuss in the near future," Olmert added.

Bureau Report

Israel wants more from Hamas

This is from the Australian. Obviously Israel and the US, the latter arming Abbas, would prefer that Fatah prevailed over Hamas. If the US and Israel really were just interested in an agreement they would not impose preconditions on negotiations that make it virtually impossible for Hamas to take part. The US obviously doesn't consider being democratically elected enough to recognise Hamas and Israel has refused even to return all taxes collected for the Palestinians.


Israel pushes Hamas for more
Martin Chulov
February 12, 2007

ISRAEL yesterday rejected the incoming Palestinian unity Government's implicit recognition of its right to exist and called on European backers to do the same.
A tacit acceptance of past peace agreements signed between the Jewish state and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was the centrepiece of the unity deal signed between the leaders of Hamas and Fatah in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.
The announcement was the furthest Hamas officials had moved from their previously implacable stance that Israel should be wiped out.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday only an explicit recognition of Israel and a renunciation of violence should satisfy the international community.

Mr Olmert said he would appeal to western Europe to take a similar stand. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in Europe on business, appealed directly to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU chiefs.

A potential split has emerged among the international community in the wake of the deal, with Russia - a key member of the so-called Quartet - welcoming the announcement and suggesting it could lead to a break in an aid boycott in place for the 12 months since Hamas won Palestinian Authority elections.

In a joint statement, Russia, the EU, the UN and US withheld judgment on whether the new national unity government met requirements.

"The Quartet welcomes the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in reaching the agreement to form a Palestinian national unity government. The Quartet expresses hope that the desired calm will prevail," the group said.

Hamas said yesterday that the issue of outright recognition of Israel had not been discussed during the Mecca summit - and would not be tabled in the future.

Instead, he said past deals, signed after former PLO chairman Yasser Arafat sought peace with Israel during the 90s, would be accepted and honoured.

Israeli officials said their disappointment with the stance of the incoming government would not lead to a cancellation of tripartite talks planned for next Monday between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Ms Livni and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.