Israel, Palestinians 'can forge peace deal in 2 years'

[oberliner]

Israel and the Palestinians can wrap up a final peace deal within two years, but the international climate for such talks might not remain favorable for long, Israel's deputy defense minister said Thursday. As part of the favorable climate, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana joined growing calls to jump-start the tattered peace process by looking at aspects of a lasting deal.

And in a goodwill gesture, Israel said it would free $100 million in frozen Palestinian tax revenues on Friday to boost President Mahmoud Abbas - the first Israeli payment since the militant Hamas won legislative elections and took office last year.

Israeli Deputy Minister, Ephraim Sneh has formulated a new peace plan together with Defense Minister Amir Peretz of the moderate Labor Party, a junior partner in Israel's centrist coalition. He is one of several leading Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, to recently articulate new ideas for re-energizing peace efforts.

Sneh told an academic conference Thursday that a peace deal is still possible, even though previous rounds collapsed over explosive issues such as the fate of disputed Jerusalem and Jewish settlements.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=78765

[idontwantaname]

1. why put off for 2 years what could be done today???

well, the wall isnt finished yet and i think thats a card israel would like in its hand.


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In Cairo, Solana joined Egypt, Jordan and Abbas in suggesting that peace talks move straight to the disputes at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

<snip>

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat welcomed the Israeli move but noted the money belongs to the Palestinians in the first place. "We hope the Israelis will release all the withheld funds," he told The Associated Press. "This is about 25 percent of the total they owe us."

[newyorican]

2. 2 years is just more stalling...

to grab more WB land, solidify the grip on Jerusalem (eg. continue ethnic cleansing) and environs.

Plus it allows them to take the measure of whomever the next US president will be and plan accordingly.

[Violet_Crumble]

3. Goodwill gesture...

And in a goodwill gesture, Israel said it would free $100 million in frozen Palestinian tax revenues on Friday to boost President Mahmoud Abbas - the first Israeli payment since the militant Hamas won legislative elections and took office last year.

I read today that Israel is holding onto over $500 million in Palestinian tax revenue. That's money that doesn't belong to Israel and which Israel had no right to freeze...

[idontwantaname]

4. bump, because israel is the peace-staller not peace partner n/t.