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Officials: Palestinian issue 'dead' for now
Condoleeza Rice, who is arriving for Mideast visit against backdrop of violent intra-Palestinian crisis, to be received with pessimistic attitude regarding renewing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Some officials note possibility of Israel ‘strengthening Abbas’ by easing restrictions on PA
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will arrive Wednesday for a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, during which she plans to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as well as Fatah leaders.
Rice, who will be arriving from Egypt, will focus on the violent intra-Palestinian crisis and its affect on the local Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Rice’s Mideast tour is intended to strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ leadership, in attempt to establish a unity government that recognizes Israel and all the PLO’s previous diplomatic agreements.
Rice is slated to meet with Olmert Wednesday night, and with Peretz and Livni on Thursday. In light of the worrying developments in the PA, sources at the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Rice’s arrival is a ‘maintenance visit.’ Right now the Palestinian issue is dead. There is no one to talk to, and therefore all talks of a Palestinian unity government and diplomatic dialogue are off the table. We have nothing to clarify to the Americans, since we don’t have any stances opposing them.”
In Israel, officials clarified that regarding the intra-Palestinian conflict, there is no way to help Abbas. “His interior minister is organizing the riots, and we have no way of helping him. They want to dismantle the government, so we’re out of the picture.”
Rice, still smiling, on Saudi visit (Photo: AFP)
In advance of Rice’s visit, Defense Minister Peretz also stressed that the developments in Gaza were an “internal Palestinian issue.” Senior Defense Ministry officials added that “Israel is closely following what is happening in Gaza, but we have no reason to interfere with what’s going on there.”
Easing restrictions?
But other voices heard in Israel noted that despite the chaos in the PA, Israel might try to help Abbas. Security officials told Ynet that Israel was readying for the possibility of easing restrictions towards the Palestinians after the PA has been under economic blockade for months.
The same officials told Ynet that in meetings ahead of Rice’s visit, the possibility of “fortifying Abbas” through humanitarian gestures was discussed. However, it has not yet been decided what restrictions would be lifted, and discussions on the matter were ongoing.
“We don’t need to scream it out at this stage, to not cause damage,” officials said. “We need to be careful. There are thoughts in many directions. We can assume that the issue of easing things for the Palestinian population will arise, as well as the need to deal with the humanitarian issues to prevent a crisis in the Strip. With that, things were not finalized.”
Rice to stress to Abbas US objection to Hamas
On Wednesday, prior to her meetings with the high ranks of the Israeli political echelon, Rice will convene in Jerusalem with heads of the Fatah's Tanzim, including Kadoura Fares, thought to be Marwan Barghouti's closest associate. In the afternoon Rice will continue to Ramallah, where she will meet President Abbas. Palestinian sources told Ynet Tuesday night that Rice is set to emphasize in her conversation with Abbas the fact that the US will continue to oppose any Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas, especially if the group continues to stand by its positions regarding Israel.
PA officials estimated that a large part of Rice's meetings with the Palestinians will focus on Fatah's prospects of winning general elections in the Authority, in case the elections are pushed forward. Chairman of the Fatah faction in the PA Legislative Council Azzam al-Ahmed said that if a unity government is not formed within two weeks, Abbas will use his judicial right and disband the Hamas government.
Rice appealed Tuesday for an end to fighting among Palestinian factions and said she is looking for ways to strengthen President Abbas in his standoff with Hamas.
"Innocent Palestinians are caught in the crossfire and we call on all parties to stop," Rice said of the worst Palestinian violence since March. "The Palestinians deserve calm."
Ali Waked contributed to the report
