Jerusalem – In a dramatic policy shift, Israel’s prime minister has agreed to negotiate the borders of a Palestinian state based on the cease-fire line that marks off the West Bank, a TV station reported Monday.
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Up to now, Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to spell out his plan for negotiating the border. A senior Israeli official would not confirm outright that the prime minister was now willing to adopt the cease-fire line as a starting point, but said Israel was willing to try new formulas to restart peace talks based on a proposal made by President Barack Obama.
In a speech about the Middle East in May, Obama proposed negotiations based on the pre-1967 line with agreed swaps of territory between Israel and a Palestinian state. Netanyahu reacted angrily, insisting that Israel would not withdraw from all of the West Bank, though that was not what Obama proposed.
Now Netanyahu is basically accepting that framework, according to Channel 2 TV, offering to trade Israeli territory on its side of the line for West Bank land where its main settlements are located.
The official, who has been briefed on the talks, spoke on condition of anonymity because the contacts are still in progress. He said he would not deny the TV report, while refusing to confirm the specifics. He emphasized that Israel would not withdraw from all of the West Bank.
“We are willing in a framework of restarting the peace talks to accept a proposal that would contain elements that would be difficult for Israel and we would find very difficult to endorse,” he said, answering a question about the Obama proposal.
Part of the reason, he said, was that Israel is seeking to persuade the Palestinians to drop their initiative to win U.N. recognition of their state next month, something the Palestinians are doing out of frustration with stalled peace efforts.
Palestinian officials said they had not received such a proposal from Israel.
Palestinians have demanded that Israel stop construction in its West Bank settlements and east Jerusalem before peace talks resume. Netanyahu wants talks with no preconditions where issues like settlements and borders would be discussed, along with his insistence that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
The cease-fire line that marks the West Bank dates to the 1949 end of the two-year war that followed the creation of Israel. It held until June 1967, when Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, claimed by the Palestinians.
Palestinians and most of the world consider the 1967 lines a border, while Israel has always held that it was just a temporary truce line that does not dictate the location of the border.
Previous Israeli governments have accepted the cease-fire line as the basis for talks, and the two sides came close to agreement twice in the past decade before talks broke down over other matters.
Thorny issues like sharing Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees would remain after the border issue is resolved, but U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has said that setting a border would defuse the explosive settlement issue by determining which of the enclaves would become part of Israel and which would not.
In the absence of an agreement to return to negotiations, the Palestinians are moving ahead with their U.N. recognition initiative. While a vote in the General Assembly would be symbolic and not legally binding, the Palestinians believe any international endorsement will isolate Israel and improve their position if negotiations resume.
Palestinian officials said Monday they plan to begin mass marches against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank on Sept. 20, the eve of the U.N. vote.
Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said leaders hope to attract millions, and the protest will be the first of a prolonged effort. He said the campaign would be called “Palestine 194,” since the Palestinians hope to become the 194th member of the United Nations.
“The appeal to the U.N. is a battle for all Palestinians, and in order to succeed, it needs millions to pour into streets,” he said.
So in other words Sanhedria and half Shmuel hanavi, murchevet, plus plus.. will all be under palestinian rule? how beautiful!
I hope this is not true. What is he thinking? The Palestinians recognize Israel, since when? This comes out during the Nine Days, how appropriate!
i just threw up!!!!!!!
This can not be true. Why would he do that and why would he say the Palestinians recognize Israel?
If Bibi did indeed cave, & is now going back on what he publicly stated during his last trip to Washington, u can be sure it’s only due to obama’s relentless pressure & threats. just one more reason why the mamzer must be turned out of office in 2012!
Yea, I remember this kinda talk be the previous PM’s. wile its a good stalling tactic but then when its over it re ignites the anger from the Arabs, Why not just tell them to for get about it and that this will go on for another 200yrs?!?!?!
I do not believe this for a second
Finally ! Moshiach can come now
Oy gevalt.
I knew it all along: Bibi has no guts. He’s all talk, but talk is cheap. Netanyahua LOVES shaking hands with Holocaust denier, terrorist-financier, and lover-of-suicide-bombers Abu Mazen.
And all the Yidden cheered when he went in front of Congress and offered to give up Judea and Samaria if Abu Mazen ripped up his pact with HAMAS.
And now this news – and how many Yidden will be shocked? I’m not – I called Bibi’s bluff all along.
It’s inconceivable that he will return the Kotel to the Arabs.
This was inevitable but probably a good idea since its the only way to keep the U.S. from abandoning EY on the issue of Palestine declaring itself a state this fall in the UN General Assembly. Had Netanyahu refused to negotiate final boundaries, the U.S. would probably have dropped its objections to a unilateral Palestinian declarartion of statehood.
The official said Netanyahu insists the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
We heard this a million times already. It’s the leftist media’s wishful thinking.
give them the USA its worthless. but im sure after they get back the west bank they will want more
The official said Netanyahu insists the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
Meaning – this is a condition in which he would trade land. But since they never will recognize Israel as a Jewish state – this deal will never come to fruition.
OY VAI. A broch uf Bibi.
Fear not. This will never get anywhere since you’ll never hear any Palestinian leader say they recognize Israel as the Jewish state.
Firstly, what else did anyone imagine the talks would be about?
Secondly, as Bibi requires the Arabs to recognise Israel as the Jewish State for anything to happen, nothing is going to happen
I think you guys aren’t reading. This is what the article says:
“Now Netanyahu is basically accepting that framework, according to Channel 2 TV, offering to trade Israeli territory on its side of the line for West Bank land where its main settlements are located.”
Its not like he’s withdrawing from the entire West Bank. But Poster #18 is correct, it won’t matter anyway.
Dont get over anxiety over this…This is only negotiation…We all know Bibi is going to ask for something in return which will end this negotiation…Just hang in there and wait
The problem is that the Israelis look at this as the END of the negotiations, while the Arabs look at this as the beginning point and build from there.
Only choice – annex the entire West bank at tell the Arabs to eat dirt. If they riot – then there will be less Arabs. Syria is getting away with it. Libya is getting away with it.
The story goes like so..
Huge leftist protests currently taking place over domestic policy,calling for bibi to step down, with some even seeing it connected to the abama administration, on top of that pressures of applying for statehood through u.n.
It is therefore self understood what is going on, but not to worry, the other side’s patterned behavior will soon kick in, and all will start over again..for a nation who is finding it difficult to just “recognize” the jewish state in turn of statehood and all, will surely never disappoint us as to let us make peace and have to give them territory…
Basically, all of Eretz Yisroel belongs to klal-Yisroel, and territorial concessions will just led to more war and terrorism.
Let’s remember WHY Yassir Arafat invented the notion of Palestinian peoplehood in 1964 – that is, to delegitimize and destroy the Jewish State.
bibi will be in a coma like arik and any other Jewish “leader” who puts Jews in danger like this.
And now we see Bibis true colors He is all talk no action
Nothing will come of this if it’s true.
The Palestinians will never recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
Also, Bibeleh will say whatever he says. It means nothing until the ink is dry and, at this point, there is nothing to sign.
I think that he is just playing games with the left which is demonstrating over the housing situation there.
He can not only steal their thunder but show them up for the total idiots they are.
Lieberman now has more power than Bibinski will ever have.
He will usher in a new era of a strong Israel, an Israel that doesn’t allow itself to be pushed around by morons, dolts. leftwing traitors and Arabs.
BIBI..!!!we were so proud of you just a short few weeks ago, you made us feel so good, what happend to you??? maybe go take a nap and a tylenol, I’m sure you’ll feel better afterwoods, we will accept an apoligy from you for making us feel so sad. I hope your joking.
good news if true! Most Jews and Israelis support a 2 state solution. Israel cant occupy over 2 million Palestinians forever.
BIBI..!!!we were so proud of you just a short few weeks ago, you made us feel so good, what happend to you??? maybe go take a nap and a tylenol, I’m sure you’ll feel better afterwoods, we will accept an apoligy from you for making us feel so sad. I hope your joking.
Well, Bibi–if this is true then shame on you !!! You promised !!!! Your brother’s blood is crying to you from his grave. I hope this isn’t true
He knows it won’t work. Palis are so over a 2-state solution, they have their shriveled little hearts set on the “Right of Return”
I predict that Netanyahu will be booted out of power in no time at all.
If he wants pre 67 status,
he was not in power then, and he will not be in power now, with that patern of thinking.
He just signed his own resignation or he just signed his own impeachement.
BIBI..!!!we were so proud of you just a short few weeks ago, you made us feel so good, what happend to you??? maybe go take a nap and a tylenol, I’m sure you’ll feel better afterwoods, we will accept an apoligy from you for making us feel so sad. I hope your joking.
Other Israeli media confirming variations of this story so its probably true but not surprising. Netanyahu has said all along there will have to be some settlements returned to the Palestinians as part of a final settlement although certainly not all the way back to the 67 borders. They should be trying to minimize the number of Gush Gatifs and avoid having to forcibly evacuate tens of thousands of settlers by giving them sufficient advance notice of the final borders. If the settlers choose to remain and live within the new Palestinian state, that should be their choice.
The problem with Israel’s failed political stand is that they are always on the deffensive, chaising their own tail instead of being agresively offensive against those who make no secret of their intent to destroy them.
Instead of netanyahu being such a whimp, his appropriate response should be taht for each and every negative effort of the Arabs, he responds by building and additional 10,000 homes in the post 67 LIBERATED (not “accupied”) terretories.
Each potential terrist attack = a frutehr insatllment of another additional 10,000 new homes in the liberated territiries.
Each Arab demonstration = 10,000 more setlments.
The mere mention of UN reuest for a state = 10,000 settelmnts
Every negative statemnt from the Arabs = another additional 10,000 more settelments.
There is “no negotiation with terrorists and with oveer hatred and the only appropriate response is an instant additonal 10,000 settlemnts without warning but as an automatic instant outcome.
It’s will not be long before the Arabs figure out who is boss.
I don’t know why everyone is so shocked. Bibi has always lied when he campaigned and then did exacrly the opposite of what he promised. Belive me within 1-2 years Israel will be back to th3 1967 borders & undergoing multiple terrorist attacks.
Good can’t be a batter time. I think y are we even bothering going back to pre 67 u may as well give over the keys to the entire isreal and moshioch will come right a way
Btw I told u not to watch TV
Good can’t be a batter time. I think y are we even bothering going back to pre 67 u may as well give over the keys to the entire isreal and moshioch will come right a way
Btw I told u not to watch TV
Dibburim b’olma lo sagi.
Israel is always said to be “obstructionist” so maybe the Prime Minister thinks that trying reverse psychology will help. While personally, I think that Shamir had it right – “Not on my watch,” I don’t see the world from the same position that he does, so I prefer not to criticize. I believe his heart is in the right place, and that he will do the right thing, and let us pray during the nine days that HaShem grants the Prime Minister the wisdom to guide His people safely through these perilous waters, and hasten the geula, bimhera beyamunu amen.
Netanyohu is a great orator but with a brain the size of a pea. He will end up like that other koifer sharon, meir, olmert, begin, if he doesn’t watch his mouth and his steps. Who is he to bargain away kal yisroel’s yerushoh. He is a nobody, achieved nothing in hios life except stupid ideas and empty words. These so called “leaders” have no guts. Time to campaign for lieberman, a man with guts and whom the arabs are afraid of big time. They know with him in power they will get their asses kicked and not one inch of land to boot that is ours. He will also tell Obama where to go also. HINEI LO YINOM VLO YISHUN….
Bibi is Bibi. Remember, he is the guy who says and promise but never does what he says and compromises. He is the guy who is used to stab in the back the Jewish people all the time.