ISRAEL HAYOM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
Shlomo Cesana
In the full interview (which appears further down the Israel Hayom English Newsletter), Netanyahu said the Quartet proposal for the renewal of negotiations was workable, but he doubted Abbas' willingness to strike a deal that would lead to peace. “Abbas needs to decide if he is going to lead his people to peace or not. He disappointed me in his address to the U.N. He took a step backwards,” Netanyahu said.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
Shlomo Cesana
Prime minister in wide-ranging New Year's interview with Israel Hayom •
“The real test will be if Abbas meets us for negotiations”
• Forum of Eight not able to reach consensus on Quartet proposal
for renewal of talks with Palestinians.
"My main achievement was political -- there was no declaration of a Palestinian state in September." | Photo credit: Amos Ben Gershom |
Peace could be achieved in less than a year if Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas agrees to restart negotiations with Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel Hayom on Tuesday.
In an interview to mark the Jewish New Year, which begins on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu expounded on his willingness to meet the Palestinian leader for peace talks, without any preconditions.
“We can reach an agreement in less than a year, if we have a Palestinian partner willing to make compromises and achieve peace. The real test is if Abbas joins us at the negotiating table,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu views the past week's diplomatic events as a success for Israel. “The trip [to the U.N.] was successful, and the [Palestinian] bid was thwarted. I stated Israel's truth on the U.N. podium, and brought home some significant political and diplomatic achievements. My main achievement was political -- there was no declaration of a Palestinian state in September.”
About Israel's relationship with the U.S., Netanyahu said, “Contrary to what commentators say, we have a very close relationship with the U.S. Every U.S. president so far has reflected the overwhelming support Americans have expressed for Israel.”
On Turkey, Netanyahu said, “I don't know if Turkey will ever return to what it was for us in the past. Turkey decided to embark on a new path. I believe we shouldn't bow our heads before its unjustified attacks. Doing so does not strengthen us, not in the eyes of our friends, and not in the eyes of our enemies. In my view, we have not yet given up on Turkey, unless Turkey has given up on us.”
Netanyahu's comments to Israel Hayom came on the same day that his Forum of Eight senior ministers met on Tuesday in Jerusalem to debate the Quartet's proposal for renewed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The ministers met well into the night, but according to reports on Wednesday, were not able to reach consensus on accepting the Quartet's proposal. The Palestinian Authority leadership is set to meet in Ramallah on Wednesday to discuss its position on the Quartet proposal, Israel Radio reported.
The international proposal includes a call for both parties to begin direct negotiations immediately, without preconditions. The timetable calls for both leaders to meet within a month, and for significant progress in the talks to be made in three to six months. During the talks, both sides will convey their positions on borders and security areas. The aim of the negotiations will be an end to the conflict and an end to all demands by both sides within 15 months, by the end of 2012.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to hold its first official session on Wednesday concerning the Palestinian bid for recognition as a full member of the U.N.
In the background, both Israel and the U.S. are continuing their efforts to solicit opposition to the Palestinian bid, and ensure that a majority of nine Security Council members vote against the request, which would render a U.S. veto obsolete.
