Obama, Netanyahu, Abbas“ - A Three-Ring Circus” Almost!
Ron Ross
Bridges for Peace News
Email: ronrossbfp@hotmail.com
September, 2009
President Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The trio met in New York as international leaders arrived for the UN General Assembly.
Some suggest this Middle East conflict is the major motivation for terrorism worldwide but in fact it may well be a serious test on the determination of world leaders to defend democratic rights.
Many observers were disappointed that the only proposal to come from the ‘summit’ was a plan to have ‘more talks.’ As Netanyahu told TV reporters “Time for talk must be over, steps should be implemented.”
It was President Obama who introduced talks of an Israel settlement freeze when he made his speech in Cairo months ago. He found in New York, Israel has strong reasons to resist his plans for withdrawal from Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
The Israeli Prime Minister insisted concessions to the Palestinian negotiators can only be discussed after the so-called peace partners recognize Israel as ‘a Jewish state.’
Dr Benny Begin, the son of former Israel Prime Minister Menachem Begin made the concerns clear in a recent interview on IDF (Israel Defence Forces) Army Radio.
When asked if Israel was ready to make concessions, Begin said: “We’re not at that point. There is simply no point in discussing this when not only do they take impossible positions such as not recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, but they keep adding obstacles such as the one I’m about to mention, about which I can say that if they don’t revoke it, it will be impossible to get anywhere in negotiations.
"Just a month ago, the moderate arm of the PLO, Fatah, publicized its goals, stating, ‘The armed revolution of the Arabic Palestinian nation is a decisive factor in the fight for the liberation and the liquidation of the Zionist presence. This struggle will not end until after the liquidation of the Zionist entity and the liberation of Palestine.’ Now I know that the thousands of drivers stuck in traffic jams probably were not able to get all of that, so let me read it again at dictation speed –"
“They know this clause, Mr. Begin!”, came the interruption, but Begin continued unruffled and emphatically: “…will not end until after the liquidation of the Zionist entity and the liberation of Palestine. This clause was ratified just a month ago at the Fatah conference.”In these pressured talks Israel must make clear what the aspirations really are.
The conclusion that Fatah is a moderate, legitimate government is naïve to say the least.
The removal of Israel and the Jewish people is still part of their party platform and for the time being talks will continue until the way forward is clear of pit-falls.
For the time being Netanyahu has resisted pressure strongly and all Israel will be praying he maintains his stand.
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Three years ago he joined Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem to establish international radio news and an audio service webcast at www.bridgesforpeace.com Ron was Sports Editor of WINTV for 20 years before joining the full-time missions. You can contact Ron at : ronrossbfp@hotmail.com |
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