Peace initiative not alternative to negotiations, Livni tells Arab counterparts
‘Peace initiative has a number of elements that represent the Arab narrative,’ foreign minister says. Egyptian FM: We must move forward in such a way that the Palestinians will sense that there is hope
“Naturally, the Arab peace initiative contains a number of elements that represent the Arab narrative, and the situation is that the Arab League has no intention of standing in for the Palestinians in the negotiations (with Israel),” Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Wednesday.
Meeting the President
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Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem along with her Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts, Abdel Ilah Khatib and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Livni said “there is an opportunity here that has not presented itself in many years. The Palestinian Authority government wants to advance a two-state vision, and there is a willingness on the part of the Arab side to support a bilateral process.”
The foreign minister continued to say that “at times Israel
is perceived as a country that is not interested in promoting the peace process – but this is not the case. As far as the Israeli government is concerned, stalemate is not the preferred policy.
From left to right: Ilah Khatib, Livni and Aboul Gheit (Photo: Reuters)
“A large segment of the Israeli population strives to advance a process that will lead to two states existing side by side," she said.
Egyptian FM Aboul Gheit said, “We feel it is Israel’s intent to seriously work toward helping the Palestinians to achieve statehood. The Arab peace initiative, which was put on the table in 2002 and was approved in 2007, aims to bring about peace and normal relations between Israel and the Palestinians by way of a Palestinian state with territorial continuity.”
However, the Egyptian minister stressed that “talk alone will not do. We must move forward in such a way that the Palestinians will sense that there is hope”.
The Jordanian foreign minister echoed Aboul Gheit’s comments, saying “today, more than ever, people must see results. We came here to propose an Arab initiative for a comprehensive peace which grants legitimacy to the establishment of a Palestinian state with territorial continuity.
“To move on with the peace process we must create the necessary atmosphere; Israel must lift its closure (on the Palestinian territories) and change the economic situation there. We hope this visit will create momentum for the negotiations,” said Ilah Khatib.
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