http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12986779A group of former Israeli security chiefs and politicians have presented a proposal to restart stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.
They are hoping it will put pressure on the Israeli prime minister to act.
More than 50 prominent Israelis back the informal plan, which they say is based on a 2002 Arab initiative.
They include former heads of the national intelligence agency, Mossad, the Shin Bet domestic security agency, and the military.
Other signatories are academics and business leaders.
The proposal would see Israel agree to a Palestinian state in almost all of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem with border adjustments so it could keep key settlements.
It would give possible financial compensation to Palestinian refugees. A small number might be allowed to return to their former family homes in Israel.
A similar formula has been offered in formal and informal frameworks before, without leading to an agreement.
At a news conference in Tel Aviv, Yacov Peri, a former head of Shin Bet, told the BBC he and the other signatories felt the Israeli government needed to be pushed to break the deadlock.
...
Mr Netanyahu has agreed to the principle of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However US-brokered talks collapsed in September in a dispute over continued settlement building in the occupied West Bank.
This week the US and the European Union criticised an Israeli plan to build more than 900 homes in the settlement of Gilo in East Jerusalem.
On Tuesday US President Barack Obama spoke of the need to end the deadlock in peace talks when he met Israeli President Shimon Peres at the White House.
"With the winds of change blowing through the Arab world, it's more urgent than ever that we try to seize the opportunity to create a peaceful solution between Palestinians and Israelis," Mr Obama said.
However he did not suggest any new initiative to bring the two sides together.
There is also pressure from the Israeli opposition.
"The current government has wasted the last two years," Shaul Mofaz, a leading parliamentarian from the Kadima party told reporters. "The 'do-nothing policy' is very dangerous."
Gilo huh? Wasn't that land used in the buildup against Israel in 1967? Land that was lost when the Arabs lost the war? I guess this is what happens when you refuse to negotiate in the first place and choose war. You stand the risk of losing.AussieReaper wrote:
"This week the US and the European Union criticised an Israeli plan to build more than 900 homes in the settlement of Gilo in East Jerusalem."
More Israeli settlements built over the rubble of Palestinian homes.
......yup the Palestinians are definitely not trying to stop a peaceful agreement.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13002846 wrote:
Israeli tanks, helicopters and planes have struck Gaza after an anti-tank missile fired from the Palestinian enclave hit a bus in southern Israel.
The attackers used an anti-tank missile, the Israeli army said - the first time such a weapon had been used against an Israeli civilian target.
The bus had been dropping off school children near the Nahal Oz kibbutz, and was only carrying one passenger when it was hit, Israeli medical sources said.
If this were to be talked about by Aussie Dilbert or a host of others on this board, of course it would be discussed like this:Cheeky_Ninja06 wrote:
......yup the Palestinians are definitely not trying to stop a peaceful agreement.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13002846 wrote:
Israeli tanks, helicopters and planes have struck Gaza after an anti-tank missile fired from the Palestinian enclave hit a bus in southern Israel.
The attackers used an anti-tank missile, the Israeli army said - the first time such a weapon had been used against an Israeli civilian target.
The bus had been dropping off school children near the Nahal Oz kibbutz, and was only carrying one passenger when it was hit, Israeli medical sources said.
Well, I wasn't there to help them pack, so all I can do is read, and from what I read they did pull out.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Israel hasn't withdrawn from Gaza.
Yes. They have. There are still Israeli troops in the West Bank--IAW agreements with the Palestinian Authority.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Israel hasn't withdrawn from Gaza.
no. they. haven't. Last time I checked (maybe 2 years ago?) the international community at-large still recognizes Gaza as an Israeli-occupied territory. Haven't really read up on it lately but I doubt that's changed.FEOS wrote:
Yes. They have. There are still Israeli troops in the West Bank--IAW agreements with the Palestinian Authority.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Israel hasn't withdrawn from Gaza.
ummmm, you didn't read the links I take it?KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
no. they. haven't. Last time I checked (maybe 2 years ago?) the international community at-large still recognizes Gaza as an Israeli-occupied territory. Haven't really read up on it lately but I doubt that's changed.FEOS wrote:
Yes. They have. There are still Israeli troops in the West Bank--IAW agreements with the Palestinian Authority.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Israel hasn't withdrawn from Gaza.
I see, so Israel is bad for not allowing not only the land to be used against it, it should also allow the airspace, as well as the free trafficking of weapons to be used against it as well. As far as the water goes. Let me guess, this would never happen right?KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Israel controls the airspace and water, and controls commerce in and out. Whatever you say lowing.
Israel does not occupy the Gaza Strip, Ken. Thank you for not trying to argue that airspace or free commerce by the Palestinians would not be used against Israel by the way.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
i didn't say israel was bad or good. I just said they haven't withdrawn and the international community does not recognize that Israel has withdrawn. Learn some reading comprehension so I don't have to repeat myself.
tell ya what, if Israel occupies Gaza could you post a current map indicating as much?KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
whatever you say buddy. Glad we came to an agreement.
Last edited by lowing (2011-04-07 20:33:05)
Israel controls the borders and airspace, it might as well be occupied.lowing wrote:
tell ya what, if Israel occupies Gaza could you post a current map indicating as much?KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
whatever you say buddy. Glad we came to an agreement.
a country controlling its borders!! OUTRAGEOUS!!! and why do the Palestinians need airspace? Do they have to file a flight plan to launch a rocket now?Dilbert_X wrote:
Israel controls the borders and airspace, it might as well be occupied.lowing wrote:
tell ya what, if Israel occupies Gaza could you post a current map indicating as much?KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
whatever you say buddy. Glad we came to an agreement.
Last edited by lowing (2011-04-08 02:38:37)
Sorry, but you're wrong. Israel has no troops stationed inside Gaza. Therefore, no occupation.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
no. they. haven't. Last time I checked (maybe 2 years ago?) the international community at-large still recognizes Gaza as an Israeli-occupied territory. Haven't really read up on it lately but I doubt that's changed.FEOS wrote:
Yes. They have. There are still Israeli troops in the West Bank--IAW agreements with the Palestinian Authority.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Israel hasn't withdrawn from Gaza.
