Special to WorldTribune.com
TEL AVIV — The United States has begun drafting an agreement for a Palestinian state in the West Bank.
Israeli and Palestinian sources said the administration of President Barack Obama has decided to formulate what was termed bridging proposals for an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The sources said the U.S. proposals would cover the prospect of a permanent or interim accord that would result in a Palestinian state in the West Bank over the next 18 months.
“The proposals are already being worked on and would be presented early next year,” a source said.
An Israeli parliamentarian confirmed the U.S. effort. Zehava Gal On, a member of the left-wing Meretz, said she was told by senior U.S. officials that Washington would submit the plan in January 2014.
The sources said the Obama administration wants to conclude Israel-PA negotiations for a Palestinian state by May 2014. They said both Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry believe that the current Israeli-PA talks have reached a stalemate and would not advance without intervention from Washington.
“They [Palestinians] are locked in their position and showing no flexibility from their opening stance,” Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Saar said.
The sources said the secretary, who arrived in Israel on late Nov. 5, warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late October that the Jewish state would be isolated in the West unless he agreed to a Palestinian state over the next few months.
“There is no other plan at this point in time.” Kerry said before arriving in Israel on late Nov. 5.
The negotiations, so far consisting of 17 meetings, have been hampered
by open disputes within the Israeli delegation. The sources said Israeli
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Netanyahu’s representative, Yitzhak Molcho,
argued over the future of Jerusalem, particularly proposals to divide the
city. On Nov. 5, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators ended their session in
a shouting match.
“If the Palestinians want a state,they must know that this has a price
and they will not get everything they want,” Israeli Finance Minister Yair
Lapid said.
U.S. pushing agreement on Palestinian state by May 2014 added by World Tribune on
View all posts by World Tribune →
You must be logged in to post a comment Login