04 February 2010

The Driving Force of Palestinian Politics Part 2

04 February 2010

The Driving Force of Palestinian Politics   Part 2

Palestinian Declaration: Solution Not End of the Conflict


During the negotiations orchestrated by President Clinton in 2001, Arafat said he would respond the next day to the latest offer from PM Ehud Barak. Barak never received a response and no formal reply was ever given by Arafat. Instead, the violence of the so-called second intifada was launched and no attempt was made to continue discussions. 

Similarly, according to an extensive interview with former PM Ehud Olmert (see The Australian 28 Nov 2009), after over 35 meetings, Abbas promised to get back to him regarding the details of Olmert’s proposals for a 2-state solution in 2008. That was the last Olmert heard from him.

Another feature of this interview was that it contained no mention of what the Palestinians would commit to for peace. There was no recognition of the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state, no acceptance of legitimate Israeli defense needs, and no agreement to end the conflict. All Abbas did was walk away.