Israel tries to scuttle new peace plan

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By Chris McGreal
Jerusalem
October 30, 2003

The Israeli Government has launched a diplomatic offensive to discourage foreign support for a groundbreaking peace initiative that its supporters say has exposed the bankruptcy of Ariel Sharon's policies.

The Foreign Ministry summoned a senior Swiss diplomat to protest against his Government's support for the "Geneva initiative" made public two weeks ago by left-wing Israeli politicians and a group of Palestinian leaders.

Two years of secret negotiations were led by former Israeli cabinet minister Yossi Beilin and a close ally of Yasser Arafat, Yasser Abed Rabbo. Their agreement was for Palestinians to renounce the right of refugees to return to their former homes in Israel and for the evacuation of almost all Jewish settlements on the West Bank beyond what Israel defines as Jerusalem.

Although Mr Sharon dismissed the initiative as close to treason and illegitimate, his Government's vigorous denunciations suggest it is unnerved by the plan. Support for the proposal came from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/29/1067233244831.html