Palestinians: Bide Your Time, Israel Will Crack

By: MEMRI FrontPageMagazine.com Tuesday, July 14, 2009

In a June 25, 2009 interview with the Jordanian daily Al-Dustour, Palestinian Authority negotiations department head Saeb Ereqat said that the previous Israeli government, under Ehud Olmert, had offered PA President Mahmoud 'Abbas territory equal in size to 100% of the land occupied in 1967, by means of a land swap. Ereqat explained, however, that the PA would not agree to a land swap before Israel recognized the Palestinians' right to sovereignty over all the territory occupied in 1967. He added that there had been a steady erosion in Israel's position over the years, to the point that it had recently offered the Palestinians 100% of the territory; therefore, the Palestinians had no reason to rush into accepting the Israeli proposals. He stressed that the Right of Return and monetary compensation for the refugees were not mutually exclusive, and that the Palestinians would insist on receiving both.

Addressing the issue of Hamas, he said that nobody was asking it to recognize Israel, but that any government in which Hamas was a partner would have to recognize Israel and the commitments undertaken by the PLO.

Ereqat stated further that the Palestinians were acting in full coordination with Jordan and keeping it informed of all Israeli proposals and of their replies to these proposals. Regarding Iran, he said that it did not pose a threat, as was frequently claimed.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

"Once [the Palestinians] Establish Sovereignty, We Will Start Exchanging Land"...Read more

In an interview with Britain's Sky News over the weekend, US President Barack Obama was asked whether he is planning to accept Syrian President Bashar Assad's invitation to visit Damascus. The very fact that an American presidential visit to the Syrian capital is on the international agenda demonstrates how radically US foreign policy has shifted...Syria's Hour of Triumph


For Zion's Sake Ministries:

Palestinian Authority (PA) senior official and head of its negotiations department, Saeb Erekat, has said in a detailed interview with an Arabic newspaper that no Jews should be permitted to stay in a Palestinian state, that Palestinians have an “absolute right” to the eastern half of Jerusalem and that, as Israel’s negotiating positions have weakened and been concessionary over the years, the Palestinians should agree to nothing now and allow Israel to concede still more...PA's Erekat: No Jews Allowed In Palestinian State

The PA will resume violence and terror against Israel when Fatah is "capable," and "according to what seems right," Fatah Jerusalem Regional Committee member Kifah Radaydeh says in a PA TV interview. She states openly that peace is not a goal for Fatah: "It has been said that we are negotiating for peace, but our goal has never been peace. Peace is a means; the goal is Palestine."...Fatah official: Our goal has never been peace

Of course, BHO feels that Israel must engage in self reflection. Really?


Lori's links and comments:

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