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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Barak: Israel giving serious thought to Saudi peace plan |
| 2008-10-20 |
| Defense Minister and Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak said Sunday that Israeli leaders have been discussing pursuing a comprehensive Saudi peace plan, an initiative touted by the moderate Arab elements across the Middle East. Barak told Army Radio on Sunday that with individual negotiations with Syria and the Palestinians making little headway, it may be time to pursue an overall peace deal for the region. "There is room in the Israeli coalition for the Saudi initiative," he said. "We have a mutual interest with moderate Arab elements on the issues of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas." The defense minister President Shimon Peres is in agreement with such consideration and he has spoken about the matter with Prime Minister-designate Tzipi Livni about the matter as well. While outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, has welcomed the Saudi plan, he and other leaders want to keep small parts of the territories captured in the 1967 Six Day War. Israel also objects to language in the Saudi plan that appears to endorse a large-scale return of Palestinian refugees to lands inside Israel. Israel says a massive influx of Palestinians would destroy the country's Jewish character. Peres proposed merging Israel's various peace talks into one track last month at the United Nations. In a speech to the General Assembly, he called on Saudi King Abdullah to further his initiative. He has since been pushing the idea in meeting with Israeli, Arab and Western officials, his office said. In Sunday's interview, Barak said he was in full agreement with Peres, and had discussed the peace plan with Livni as well. "I had the impression that there is indeed an openness to explore any path, including this one," he said of his talks with Livni. Barak said Israel had to tread lightly, though, so as not to appear to be coming from a position of patronage to the entire Arab world. "We are one of the players and it is proper that we introduce an initiative," he said. Livni's office refused to comment on her talks with Barak. The Saudi peace initiative was first proposed in 2002. It offers pan-Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel's withdrawal from Arab lands captured in 1967. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 |
| Posted by: DMFD 2008-10-20 18:25 |
| #3 Oi, vey. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-10-20 09:34 |
| #2 ION ISRAEL > TOPIX > WARNING: MONKS THREATEN DESTRUCTION OF CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE [ Jerusalem pan-Xtian war/Jihad over serious Church Roof Repairs], + ISRAEL'S SALE OF WEAPONS TO AZERBAIJAN FUELS POSSIBLE NEW WAR? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-10-20 03:30 |
| #1 Hmmmm...most undeclared wars have started with at least one of the parties "studying a peace plan" (or offering one - ref: 12-07-41). First dark of the moon after the election is on our Thanksgiving weekend. I suggest that at a minimum, everyone fill their gas tanks before then and keep them full.... |
| Posted by: Rivrdog 2008-10-20 00:37 |